It's Advent, the time when the historical church celebrates waiting and that most hard won of all virtues: patience. Waiting? Who needs to wait in this modern era? I have two day or even same day shipping! Patience went out of vogue with dial-up! Get with the times lady, sheesh! Yeah, me too. I didn't say I enjoyed it, but that doesn't negate its value or importance, I don't want to work out or eat right either or obey traffic laws...you get the idea. But we still have to wait, whether we would or not, for there are some things, even in this modern world, that cannot be hurried. This article reminded me of just that, and not only that everyone must wait for something, but that the waiting is actually a gift, yes, you read that right. As an adoptive parent, I've spent many Christmases waiting and waiting and waiting, only to have that place in your heart empty again this year, so this season is strangely one I really appreciate, for it reminds me I am not alone in my waiting and others spent centuries waiting for something far more important than my little family disappointment yet many never saw it realized.
I was recently on the hunt for an Advent Calendar and found things like the beer/wine advent calendar so you can drink your way to Christmas or the dog advent calendar so Fido can celebrate the season likewise, because dogs really love Christmas I guess. There were plenty of specimens with a Santa or other modern seasonal variation counting down excitedly to Christmas with a treat or book or stuffed toy or other little present, but I found none that were real Advent Calendars counting down to Christmas that actually had anything to do with Advent! Now excitement over the season is fun and counting down to Christmas is a grand tradition, but it isn't Advent so I'm not sure why they still call all these modern secular versions 'Advent Calendars.' Rather, go listen to a really good version of 'O Come O Come Emmanuel' and just let the mystery, the yearning, the hope, the sorrow enter your soul. Get rid of the phone, the TV, turn off the lights except for a few candles, and just imagine what it must have been like. Then put on Handel's 'Messiah' (not just the greatest hits, but the entire work) and listen to the words of the prophets echo down through the ages set to wonderful music. That's Advent: this almost painful expectation, yearning, hope, unfilled but promised, coming but when?
We sit down and read the Christmas story every year, little thinking of all the anticipation, disappointment, and buildup that led to the cutesy little manger scene we all adore. Since man was cast out of the Garden, it was promised that One would come to restore all that had been lost. Through all the dark and turbulent years of exile and war, the nation of Israel was promised a Savior. But the prophets were silent, the temple in ruins, the nation a slave state, and the people scattered across the globe, where was the promised Light amidst so much darkness and turmoil. And then He came, when least expected, in a way quite unlooked for, so much so that many did not believe it. But then He left, and we wait still, we long still, we yearn for justice and peace and joy. But the world is a mess and seems messier every day. Could this truly be 'the consolation of Israel?' Where is that promised age when all things will be set aright and tears shall be no more? We wait, for He has promised to return. So at Advent we look back to the yearning, the longing, the hope of His first coming and look forward, feeling much the same, for His second.
So countdown to Christmas in whatever manner excites your fancy, but do not forget the true reason behind the season or the countdown thereto. If you're tired of the garish decorations and soulless music, you yearn for a simpler and more meaningful Christmas, hearken back to the very roots of the season, discover what Advent truly means, and it will make the whole season far more delightful. Forget the ugly sweater party, crack open Isaiah, and Remember!
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