I was going through some papers of my parent's and found this story from 1992.
I have no idea of its source, or its original wording, but it seemed appropriate for this week, and went something like this...
A couple were at the airport waiting for their cousin to arrive. Instead they kept hearing delays. "Flight 907 has been delayed for 45 minutes." "Flight 907 has been delayed for a further hour." The woman, exasperated, turned to an elderly woman who was sitting beside her: "This is so frustrating." The older woman replied, "I am just glad it is a delay, I thought they were going to say the flight had crashed."
"But it's Christmas Eve and we want to get home", the woman replied. The older woman said. "I have nowhere to go, my life is on that plane."
She then went on to share that her children had just adopted a child and she was waiting to meet him for the first time. The couple seated in the airport were interested. They had been unable to have any children. They tried adopting through the state. They then attempted adoption through a private attorney. But after all their efforts they had ended up with only bills and broken promises.
The elderly woman explained that her children had tried various options until they found the one that had brought them their son. She told the couple that their agency promised adoption within 12 months times, though there were conditions . As they waited she explained the agency's policies. They were conditions the couple respected..
Shortly after their discussion the plane arrived and the couple greeted their cousin and then waited to see the elderly woman meet her grandson. They watched with joy, believing that that family could be them in a year's time.
This week we anticipate the arrival of the child of Bethlehem, believing this child represents hope for the world and hope for each one of us. Not all of us are waiting for a child, but all of us need to see "Immanuel", "God with us". The couple by the manger remind us to watch with expectant joy.
Come join us if you are able on Christmas Eve and wait expectantly with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Wherever you are, may it be a vigil that is filled with the awe of shepherds and the joy of angels.