Waiting

 

Advent calender open. The first candle lit. The days are short, the nights are long and the cold wind bites. It must be Advent, the season of 'waiting' and 'looking'. 

It is good to remind ourselves that we are not just waiting for turkey dinners and high street bargins. We are all really waiting for something much deeper, something more...

When I think about the season of Advent, the first song to come to mind is one of my favourites and a classic by U2, 'I still haven't found what I am looking for'. 

Here it is ...

The word "Advent"comes from the Latin Adventus, which means "coming to". Advent is the beginning of a new Church year, and lasts from the fourth Sunday before Christmas until Christmas Day.

The discipline of waiting is not easy. It requires humilty and patience. It reminds us that we are not in control. Patience can also be another word for faith. So the Bible says we wait, not with dread, but in certain hope:  'And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3.3

So Advent is a season full of expectation as we look back to the past, consider the present and wait for the future.

waiting to celebrate Christmas:

        waiting to see the image of the invisible God in face of Jesus our Lord;

        waiting to ring out the good news that God-is-with-us!

 

 

waiting for the light of Christ to scatter the darkness in our hearts:

        waiting for the saving fire of God's love; 
        waiting for the Word of God to transform our minds,

                            from one degree of glory to the next.

 

 

waiting for the return of Christ our Lord, when we will see him face to face:

        waiting for God's kingdom to come on earth just as it is in heaven -

        waiting for the Great Reunion,

                               the Great Homecoming,

                               the Great Wedding Feast of the Lamb!

Perfect faith, hope, love ...

What is it you are looking for during this Advent?