While We Wait

Advent’s a bit of a weird thing to me. The church I grew up in didn’t practice Advent. I don’t remember actually doing the weekly candle-lighting ritual until we moved to New Jersey. And it was sweet, for sure, but not so terribly meaningful.

I mentioned this with a group of friends the other day – that “Advent” wasn’t really a thing for me. It’s all just “Christmas”. One of those friends grew thoughtful; apparently Advent really does have a lot of meaning for her. She celebrates it as a time of entering into what life was like before Christ came, a time when the church “makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah”, knowing that somebody is coming, and we are just waiting . . . and waiting . . .

Well, hmmmmm.

Watching “The Chosen” has brought this a little more home to me. There’s one particular episode when the disciples are sitting around talking about when they were young and had dreams of what it would be like when the Messiah came to liberate Israel, and how they had hoped they would be a part of it . . . but it looked nothing like what they were experiencing.

I don’t know that I’ve thought much about that before – about what it was like for the Jews all that time having been promised a Messiah who kept declining to show up. I’ve certainly never purposefully “entered into” that experience, made it present.

But you know, it isn’t that much of a stretch. Many Christians are anxiously awaiting the return of Jesus and frustrated at his seeming delay. I’ve had my own personal moments of pleading with God to please show up . . . please be here . . . right now, I need you. Waiting and waiting . . .

These days, however, my longing is less personal or eschatological. I am more conscious of my great desire for Jesus to be present in his people. In his church. A church that is being wooed in one direction by the World and in another direction by Religion. The thing is, Jesus is here. And yet he isn’t. Because he manifests himself in the church . . . yet we often fail to make him manifest.

During Advent, we read Isaiah, who tells us, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light . . .

So much darkness, Lord – so much division and accusation – shine your light brightly here, through us – your weak and selfish and unworthy people.

For the yoke of his burden . . . you have broken . . .

We are weighing our siblings down with cumbersome loads – and not lifting a finger to move them – not loving each other enough to help carry them – break the yoke of these burdens, Father.

For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult . . . will be burned as fuel for the fire . . .

Jesus, end the battles between us – burn our hateful words and contentious deeds that stomp out the love you want to ignite in us.

To us, a son is given . . . Wonderful Counselor . . . Prince of Peace . . .

Son of God, open our ears to your counsel – your counsel alone – bring us peace – your peace.

To establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

DO THIS, Spirit. We are waiting. Teach us to wait – but to wait actively. To act with justice and righteousness while waiting on you.

You have come . . . you will come . . . you are come . . . come again, Sweet Jesus. Again and again and again.