This is the time of anticipation for Christians, not for presents or trees or meals, etc., but for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Not all groups of Christians celebrate Advent, but I find it a necessary tool for truly worshiping during this season that often gets out of hand with worldly ideas.

We remember anticipating Jesus to come as a baby. Now, we truly anticipate His return to take us home.

In my journey through Hospice, I met lots of people who were anticipating Jesus – their bodies worn from sickness, their hopes resting in Heaven. One lady in particular still stands out to me, for her anticipation was the most tangible I had ever experienced.

The house she was staying in was her son’s – a huge home with a huge garage in a very nice neighborhood. When I arrived, I let myself in and did not know what to expect in meeting her. As I approached the living room, I saw this tiny head barely sticking up over the back of the sofa. I found a tiny little lady with a great big smile seated there. She reminded me of Mother Teresa in looks and in stature.

We became fast friends. She lived each day in wonder and anticipation. The first thing she told me was that in 1976, the doctors told her she had cancer and had six months to live (I met her in 2011). She told me about her life as a missionary, overseas and in the U.S. and her passion for Jesus poured out of her.

She loved to sing, so I often took my guitar. We would harmonize in the old hymns, and even in some of my original songs. One day at the end of our visit, she told me that when she got to Heaven she was going to sit on the steps to the Heavenly choir loft and wait for me so we could join the choir together.

I could tell she was growing weary, because each time I went for a visit, she told me that she just didn’t know why the Lord was leaving her and hadn’t come to take her home. One day in particular, this seemed to be concerning her more than usual.

She said, “I’ve lived a good life. I’ve done everything He wants me to do. I just don’t know why He’s leaving me here”. I told her we’d pray about it, and before I could start, the house started shaking. We looked around, and in seconds, the chandelier was clinking as was the china in the china cabinet.

She didn’t miss a beat, and she looked at me and said, “Do you think that’s Him?”.

I helped her to the bathroom, where we stood under the safety of the door frame until the tremor stopped. What we didn’t know then is that there had been a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Mineral, Va., and we were feeling it 102 miles away!

Her anticipation of Him was so intense that the first thought she had when the earth shook was, “Jesus”.

There was no fear in her eyes (but I was afraid enough for both of us!).

She changed my outlook and my faith. Little did I know that a year later, I’d be in a hospital bed wondering if my faith was turning to sight.

She met Him face to face a few weeks later, and I cannot imagine the joy she felt as she ran into her Saviour’s arms and heard, “Well done”.

And I wonder if she’s waiting for me on the steps to the Heavenly choir loft.

I can’t wait!