Pastor's Points: Waiting

Pastor's Points: Waiting

 
Recently I had to renew my driver license. I could have chosen the online option but you have to use your same photo for that and I could not stand my old driver license photo.  One day I decided to muster the courage to go to the dreaded DMV office.  I prepared myself to wait in line and blocked off the necessary 8 hours one needs at the DMV.  I arrived at the Carrboro office at about 9:00, walked in, and there I witnessed an early Christmas miracle.  There was no one waiting in the chairs! It was empty! I was in and out in 15 minutes.  I had to take the eye test though, which left me wondering what happens with all those people who renew their license on line. How do their eyes get checked?  Anyway, I was pleased to get in and out of the DMV office and not have to wait and wait and wait.

My DMV experience got me thinking about Advent.  We are now in the midst of this holy season when we prepare heart, soul, and mind for the celebration of the Incarnation of the Lord.  This is a season of patient waiting.   We wait for the coming of the Christ child anew into our hearts.  Imagine how the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph felt as they anticipated the birth of this Child whose coming would change the course of human history. Imagine what that waiting was like as they made the long journey to Bethlehem. Imagine what the waiting was like as they went from place to place looking for somewhere for Mary to give birth. In Advent we watch and we wait.  We mark the passage of time with the candles of the Advent Wreath as we move closer and closer to the celebration of Christmas.

During the four weeks of Advent we should wait in expectant hope that Christmas will serve so as to renew us in our faith.  We should pray that the Christ our King will be born anew in each of our hearts. We should take the time to look deep within and see what is in need of change in our lives in order to worthily celebrate the Incarnation.  

Most of us do not like waiting for things.  We spend a lot of time waiting in line at the grocery store or in traffic or, if you are not as lucky as I, at the DMV. Waiting is a part of life. During this month of December, we will hopefully and patiently wait for Christmas to come.  As we walk through these Advent days, may we wait with expectant hope as we hear the words of the prophets and the Baptist calling us to make ready the way of the Lord.  May this be a truly blessed and holy time for you and yours as we anticipate the One who came to this world to save us.

Happy Advent.