Every major holiday comes loaded with expectations, perhaps none more so than Christmas. From the decorations adorning our homes to food, presents, and party plans, children and adults alike are hoping and expecting Christmas to look and feel a certain way. And, let’s be honest, the weight of all those expectations (and our ability to meet them!) can feel so heavy, right when we’re supposed to be experiencing God’s gifts of joy and peace. Jesus challenged the expectations that people in his day had about John the Baptist because they were borne out of human imaginations, not God’s promises. John prepared the way for someone whose compassion, as well as his power to deliver, would far exceed what anyone was hoping for. Come, Lord Jesus, and restore in our hearts the right kind of expectations for this blessed season of Advent!