On December 1, we begin the season of Advent.  Advent is a time of waiting: waiting for the celebration of the Christ child’s birth but also a time of waiting in hope for Christ to return.  In the devotional, Bread for the Journey, Henri Nouwen reflects on the topic of waiting.  He writes, “Waiting is essential to the spiritual life.  But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting.  It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for” (Nouwen, Henri; Bread for the Journey, HarperCollins e-book, p. 338). He reflects further by stating how we wait during Advent for Jesus’ birth; how we have a time of waiting following Easter for the coming of the promised Spirit; and how our waiting continues following Christ’s Ascension. 

Yes, we do wait.  Nevertheless, we can wait in the hope that “Christ has come, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again!”  God has already demonstrated his saving grace through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ is present with us each day through the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, we can rest on the promises that Christ will come again to gather all people into himself and to make all things new.  While we rest on those promises, God calls us to continue our mission to proclaim Christ, serve all people, pray in all times, and care for this good creation.  During this season of Advent, let us renew our hearts for the holy purpose of sharing the love of God in Christ Jesus while we expectantly await his return.   

Let us pray: Gracious God, we wait expectantly for the coming of your Son.  Guide our waiting with patience and faith; dampen out all feelings of anxiety and uncertainty; and help us to live in hope.  In the Name of Jesus, we pray.  Amen. 

May you be filled with the light of Christ ~ Pastor Maureen