Our kids at some point in their young lives have had to show some endurance in waiting. Each one has had to wait for something. My favorite is the one who claims that he is thirsty and asks every two minutes for something to drink. Even better when we’re trying to leave the house in the morning and there is always something that keeps us from leaving and the kids are forced to wait. If you know me well enough, you know I’m not a person who likes to simply just sit. Waiting for me is something that requires a lot of patience and energy and over the last few years I’ve come to appreciate Advent and the building up of that defining moment where joy enters into the world which has helped me learn the art of being still and being patient for what God is doing in my life.
When it comes to Christmas, each of our kids love this time of year. We recently were giggling that one of the kids was singing a Christmas song as he was doing some homework. The house is almost ready for Christmas. Lights are up. Decorations are out. The street we live on is in competition for who has the best and most lights on their homes. We need to pick up a tree this week and then we make the final lap to Christmas.
Advent for me is a time of waiting and preparing for Christmas joy to arrive. I love this season and I love everything it means especially as a husband, father, and a pastor. As a pastor I get to proclaim with the people of God, the Christmas joy that comes in the coming birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I get to help remind the people of God to take a deep breath and not rush to the finish line of Christmas. These are things I’ve had to do in my own faith journey and that I’m still learning to do.
One of my joys as a pastor, especially during Advent is that I get to help remind the people of God to stop along the way to the party. I get to help them listen and to meditate on the hope, peace, and, joy of knowing the love and mercy of God in a season where we all need to be reminded that our hope is in God and God alone and that the one who has come, is coming, and will come again, is on a Spirit filled mission to bring peace.
Micah 5:2-5a
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor gives birth
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
5 And he will be their peace.
May it be so.
