I decided to write an Advent calendar-blog this year. I had no particular reason other than realizing that a blog is a wonderful way to have something new appear to lots of people at the same time, a way to have people open their reader and discover something special for that day.

Okay, I’ll be honest. I was in a global coffee chain and saw a Christmas tree with numbered boxes, each with a piece of chocolate. I figured if they could do advent, I could do advent with somewhat more nutritious content.

Having made the decision, however, I had to figure out what to say, and realized that anticipation, yearning, craving is lacking in our culture. To be more accurate, craving that I can’t satisfy myself. Some days I am looking more for entertainment than meaning. I want adventure, I want experience. And usually, I can get everything I need without waiting very long. And I can get many of the things I want. (It’s not that we are rich, it’s that we have simple tastes, but still…) I am not looking forward to something which will take care of satisfaction forever.

At the same time I was realizing the absence of anticipation, I started reading Luke. The very first story that appears is a story of two people, very religious, very Godly in fact, who are childless, barren, empty. They were serious and committed about following God and yet they couldn’t have the one thing which was regarded as the sign of God’s blessing. But they kept showing up.

As I kept reading, I realized that the early chapters of Luke are full of people who felt real need, who experienced anticipation which is as deep as your soul. Elizabeth wants a child. Children want their fathers. Zacharias wants to talk. Mary wants to understand. Gentiles need light. And then when Jesus starts talking, we hear about poor and blind and captive and oppressed and rejected.

And I realized that for the people who saw Jesus, the kingdom of God really was at hand, their real needs were a touch away from being met. And as I looked at those people, I realized that the people around me who seem to have everything they need, don’t.

And so, this Advent I am writing about people who had real holes in real hearts and were really touched by a real God. And I am writing to people who have real holes in real hearts and need real touches and hugs and affirmation by a real God.

And I am experiencing renewed anticipation this Advent. I am waiting eagerly to watch God actually mend lives. And it’s a delightful scary expectation…which is the point.

Jon Swanson is a husband, dad, associate pastor, and self-described church 2.0 explorer living in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He blogs at levite.wordpress.com and, for Advent, at advent2007.wordpress.com.