There’s nothing like a road trip to make the best of family or friends into the exact opposite by the time the journey is over. I recall many of our family road trips. Most of the early years of our marriage, we spent hours on the road traveling to Wisconsin from Minneapolis for the holidays. We gathered three children, a dog, us, a playpen, a dozen or so gifts and snacks to get us through the journey. There were a couple sleeping bags and suitcases as well.

The quest almost always involved inclement weather, potty stops, or just a moment to restore our sanity. If you’ve traveled this way, you understand what I’m talking about.
Those trips are planned in advance. Time and energy is necessary in getting there, but the first, “Are we there yet?” usually comes after the car is started and reaches the end of the driveway. That phrase is predominant from there on. Every camp song known to man is sung. Every snack eaten. Every interesting site has passed and now you’re in a blizzard. The wind blows, the windshield fogs and your nerves are frazzled. You try to convince your children that this would be a good time for a nap, but the incessant, “Are we there yet” reverberates throughout the vehicle. Those days are long gone, but even as we aged, a road trip could turn the anticipation and excitement into disappointment in no time.

We are like that with the onset of Christmas. We get all hyped up for the season, by covering our homes with decorations and lights. We buy gifts that we know will probably be exchanged. We bake and bake and bake until the freezer will hold no more. We want the day to be perfect, but often there’s a big letdown at the end of the journey. Things have changed in our house. Our children are all grown. Grandchildren are too. We rarely entertain anymore. My Christmas decorations this year, consist of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree (with lights), two poinsettia plants (a gift), a wreath (from the old days) and my treasured Santa collection (hand carved by my husband.} No cookie baking in my house. I usually wind up too hot by the time the last batch is pulled from the oven. Isn’t it funny how life changes as we grow older. We adapt and adjust. Still, we can’t forget that long ago phrase, “Are we there yet?”

The season of Advent is a great reminder of what lies ahead. We look forward to the birth of Jesus. We look forward to the pomp and excitement. We can’t wait for it to come. Our patience runs out. Why aren’t we there yet? Our aching bodies and failing senses are saying, “Enough is enough!” We even ask God to take us to heaven. Apparently, that isn’t in the plan right now. As we wait for Christmas, let’s never forget what’s waiting at the end of the trip. Jesus is there, with arms extended, anxious for you to enter His kingdom.