Hopeful Expectancy

Advent gives us space to remember waiting for Jesus’ birth through Mary’s hopeful expectancy.

By: JENNIFER WILMOT, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

One of the best things about being a part of the admissions team at Perimeter School is seeing enthusiastic and hopeful parents as they join our covenant family. It’s an experience that my husband and I had 15 years ago when we opened our Perimeter School acceptance letter after waiting for months with great hope, anticipation (and nervousness), and then celebration. The admissions process took time. It was filled with the practice of waiting with patience and hope.

It makes me wonder, “Why were we and why are these prospective parents living in so much joyful anticipation?”

Here are some reasons families have this excitement to join our school:

• They’ve prayed and taken the time to explore the best place for their child’s education.

• Their child(ren) will be part of a school where Christ is at the center of all.

• Their child(ren) will be surrounded by educators and staff who truly love them and know them individually as image-bearers.

• Their family will build relationships and fellowship with like-minded families and believers.

• They remember their childhood and desire a meaningful experience for their child(ren) that brings together faith and education.

These feelings are similar to what it’s like in this season of Advent. As a mother, I can’t help but make the connection to the joy and hope leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth.

The season of Advent gives us space to remember waiting for Jesus’ birth through Mary’s hopeful expectancy.

 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
(Luke 2:19)

WAIT AND REMEMBER

Advent is a season of remembrance, the time of year when, just prior to Christmas, we’re invited to celebrate and prepare for Christ’s coming. This season is an intentional “setting aside” so that we can look back not only at the first coming of Jesus but also at His future second coming.

We long for the promised Savior’s return, even as we rejoice that He has already come to us. Advent leads us to contemplate the true meaning of the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love by taking time to wait and remember. It is a time to prepare Him room and to orient our hearts, homes, and minds to the incomprehensible significance and true meaning of Christmas. The celebration of the moment that God came near. It takes time.

“‘She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”
(Matthew 1:21-23)

EXPECT AND ANTICIPATE

In the midst of the crazy and the busy, it can be helpful to take some intentional time to slow down with our families and reflect on the purpose of this season. Through celebrating Advent, we can also take some time for self-reflection, asking ourselves what needs to be done to prepare for the coming of the Savior. It gives us context for all the ways we wait in our own lives.

Where do you sense God’s presence in your life today? How are you making space to sit in His presence as Christmas Day approaches? How does this frame your anticipation for Christmas morning? Are you more consumed with expectations in this season or with anticipation for how God has fulfilled – and will continue to fulfill His promises?

Like Mary, let us treasure up and ponder these things in our hearts.

“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.”
(1 John 4:9)

Invite your friends who may be interested in Perimeter School to visit PerimeterSchool.org/Apply or send them this postcard for more information about admissions and applying.