Coming, waiting, preparing, hoping, giving are all appropriate words to say, reflect upon and put into action during this Advent Season. They all have something to offer us as we are urged to "get ready" for the Lord who will come again in glory (or will come to us, as a merciful judge when we die), AND for the celebration of when he first came to world through the Incarnation (God becoming man). I must admit that I'm inclined this week to talk about "Waiting," not because it is the easiest of things to do (because it isn't for many), but because in fact it is a hard thing to do, as so many keep their focus far too much on the "things of this world" and NOT on the things of heaven. I must admit that I have always been one who has hated (or maybe I should say disliked) standing in a line or seeing others standing in line in various settings (including the COVID shot booster clinic which we hosted this past Tuesday). I guess being a person who likes to be on the move (the energizer bunny as people have called me) and wanting to be accomplishing something as long as there is time left in the day, I see waiting (in line) as a waste of time.
Fortunately, waiting for Christ (unlike in a line) is something that should not leave us doing nothing, but rather is a call for us to stay active in mind, body and in spirit in giving praise to the Lord in our thoughts and prayers at home, at church and really everywhere we go, and doing his work of serving others in a variety of ways. St. Paul admonished many of those he converted to Christianity to not just "wait around" for Jesus to come in glory, but rather to stay active in the things they needed to do to support themselves and their families AND in doing the Lord's work (1 Thes. 3:11-13) of doing good. Almost everyone in ways that for most are varied can and should be involved in "active waiting" as we prepare for Jesus's second coming. Unlike normal waiting for something or someone can produce frustration, impatience and sometimes unkind words, the waiting that Advent emphasizes will normally provide inner joy and peace and confidence that we are ready for what Jesus has planned for those who love Him!
Fortunately, waiting for Christ (unlike in a line) is something that should not leave us doing nothing, but rather is a call for us to stay active in mind, body and in spirit in giving praise to the Lord in our thoughts and prayers at home, at church and really everywhere we go, and doing his work of serving others in a variety of ways. St. Paul admonished many of those he converted to Christianity to not just "wait around" for Jesus to come in glory, but rather to stay active in the things they needed to do to support themselves and their families AND in doing the Lord's work (1 Thes. 3:11-13) of doing good. Almost everyone in ways that for most are varied can and should be involved in "active waiting" as we prepare for Jesus's second coming. Unlike normal waiting for something or someone can produce frustration, impatience and sometimes unkind words, the waiting that Advent emphasizes will normally provide inner joy and peace and confidence that we are ready for what Jesus has planned for those who love Him!