There was an air of expectancy

As we have moved through the Christmas story, we find that whose who were a part of it shared an air of expectancy.
I read somewhere that the time frame between the Old Testament and the New, were over 400 years.
Generations had come and gone and none had seen the ‘Messiah’ who was to come and save them.
It had been Prophesied in the book of Isaiah; 7:14
[14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.]
There was silence… A quiet stillness in the heavenly realm until it was time for the birth of a baby.
Immanuel, God with us, The Holy Son of God, Mary’s baby… Jesus. Was coming soon.
I imagine the angels were excited and perhaps guessing who would be chosen to say the words,
“Do not be afraid.”
This is only a guess on my part but one can imagine the expectancy even in heaven.
The time had come and the anticipation and preparing for the son of God to come to us must have been amazing.
The orchestration of players who were chosen to be involved even without knowing their perfect role.
It began long ago, the planning. The details and the way it had to be for scripture to be fulfilled.
We learned of Zechariah and Elizabeth, they had an air of expectancy for their miracle child was to be born.
We learned of Mary and her deep faith and intense role in the birth of her miracle child.
An air of expectancy for sure.
We learned of Joseph and how he was chosen and spoken to by an angel. An air of expectancy for him too.
We learned of the sequence of events when the roman emperor Augustus called for a census the first in many years.
How it was important for the ‘journey’ back to Bethlehem, so scripture could be fulfilled.
Then we learned of the baby born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. Even that was significant.
An air of expectancy surrounded the shepherds as they were told in a ‘field’ to go see the one born.
We are told in Luke 2:14 that Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.
Then we learn about the moments in the temple when Jesus was 8 days old and ready to be dedicated.
Simeon took him and held him in his arms and prophesied over him.
He had an air of expectancy for years before and it was finally the time.
Luke 2:34 [Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:
“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”]
Can you imagine Mary and Joseph? Their expectancy of what was to come?
Then Anna saw and heard it all in the temple. The air of expectancy for her was present and prayed for a long time.
[38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.]
Then later on the Wise men found them after journeying for almost two years. They had an air of expectancy of what they would find.
It all shows us how deep the Fathers love is for us, that HE would orchestrate all of this, so scripture could be fulfilled.
The Christmas story is full of expectancy. I pray it is that way for you too.