Watching and Waiting

And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

Psalm 39:7  

As the air cools and each day slips ever more quickly into night, we wait. Collectively we hope for the coming joy, trusting that against the darkness there will be light. The story of Christ’s birth is well known to us. We know the ending. Still, we wait for fulfillment of a promise made long ago.

Advent as a child was filled with light. I watched in awe as my father hung each shimmering strands of tinsel one by one. Cardboard pictures with little punch out windows celebrated each passing day. The dancing lights of pink and purple candles joyfully helped to bring light to the early winter darkness.

Most children (and even some adults) would agree that waiting can be an exercise in frustration. Who would ever consider waiting to be a gift? Yet this season of expectantly  watching and waiting provides the opportunity to gratefully reflect on all the blessings that already been given. Just as we slowly add figures of wise men and animals to the Kresh, we await the final gift of Jesus in the manger. The magical thinking of my child allowed me to wonder that, if I were very still, would I hear the voice of Jesus? Psalm 46:10 tells us “Be still and know that I am God”. I now know that the answer is that God is ever present. The gift that we await has already been given.

Let us be patient and prepare our hearts as we walk together towards the coming light. O Come, Oh Come Emmanuel. Rejoice!

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord. My whole being waits and in his word I put my hope. Amen