I wait eagerly for the Lord’s help, and in his word I trust.
I wait for the Lord more eagerly than watchers wait for the dawn. (Psalm 130:6)  

Those who have followed the recent presidential election process in the USA know it has entailed a lot of waiting - months of campaigning, debates, conventions, and long lines waiting to vote on election day. After waiting in eager anticipation for the out-come, we are still waiting for President-elect Obama to take office and waiting still to see what he will be able to do. Waiting involves storing the pent-up energy that erupts in joy,  such as happened with celebrations throughout the world on election day.

During Advent, we are also waiting, waiting for the coming of Christ in the midst of the darkness of our lives and the life of the world. The people of Israel had been waiting for centuries for the coming of a new leader the promised Messiah.  Many had hoped for a kingly leader with political and military might who would free the people from their enemies.

Jesus didn’t fit that mold. He came as a servant – walking and talking as a teacher and healer among the people. John the Baptist sent some of his disciples to Jesus to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”  Jesus answered them,

“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the poor receive good news.”  Waiting had come to fruition and the time to celebrate the coming of Christ had come.

Now we are getting ready for Christmas again.  Already the decorations are up and preparations are being made for the Christmas markets.  What of our waiting – not just for our various celebrations of Christmas, but for the coming of Christ into our lives. What signs of hope and joy will we experience?

So often we are impatient and don’t want to wait for things. We want to have what we want now.  What does it mean to let Advent, the time before Christmas, be a time of growth and contemplation to prepare us for the celebration of Christmas?

The apostle Paul reminds us: “For which of us hopes for something we see?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”  (Romans 8:25)

As we wait during Advent, may it be a blessed time of growth for you.

Your Pastor and friend,

Robert Haworth