Watching and Waiting

 

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.  See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  You also be patient.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ~James 5:7-8

Advent is here once again, ushering in perhaps the most fruitful season of waiting in the church calendar year.  When we reflect upon waiting, in and of itself, we are often barraged by negative reactions in our minds of the places we find ourselves in the inescapable grips of having to wait.  At the doctor's office.  Caught in snarled traffic.  Endless lines at grocery and department store check outs.

We grow frustrated.  Angry, even.  We feel our blood pressure waxing and our patience waning.  On the commercial side of these holidays, we can be tempted to exude none of the good tidings and great joy the season promises with every carol and bell resounding over the store's speakers.

But Advent signals another type of waiting altogether.  This is waiting with a purpose.  A holy purpose.  The heavenly promise fulfilled that night in a lowly stable.  The promise that Jesus, the Lord and Savior of all, will return one day to redeem the entire world, once and for all.

This time, we're not having to wait; we are wanting to wait.

With joy and eager anticipation of His coming again.  Establishing our hearts, making ample room for Him to feel welcomed and adored.

I do hope and pray, during this wondrous season of watching and waiting, that each of you will do so with patience and expectation, knowing that the best gift ever given is close at hand.  And let the joy of Jesus, the Light of the World, to shine through to others, even and especially when you find yourself in a having-to-wait situation.

Amen!