Is it Advent, Again?

 

We seek the mighty God

in the most unlikely places
as a child in a stable,
and in an empty tomb.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch,

that we may know your presence in our midst
during this holy season of joy
as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

This past Sunday, December 1st, was the first of four in Advent, the opening of the Christian year. In  the days of my youth there was no Advent season in the United Church, no liturgical colours (purple or blue) no emphasis on expectant waiting, few Advent hymns (maybe O Come O Come Emmanuel and Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.) There might be a cantata or a carol service, another on Christmas Eve, then we forged on toward Easter. 

While at seminary I learned to appreciate Advent as a time of patient waiting, Other words used are expectation and incubation, as well as culmination and fruition. We are waiting for the coming of Jesus, not only the infant of Bethlehem but the returning Christ. 

I learned in congregations that this emphasis on patience was not shared. Some people were baffled -- where was the Christmas spirit, whatever that is? Others would get annoyed or angry -- why aren't we singing Christmas carols and lighting up the tree right away? I coaxed worship committees and congregations toward the "artful waiting" of Advent but I can't claim success despite nearly 40 years of earnestly keeping the faith. 

On Sunday morning I had two conversations with persons who are now in the waiting game of our healthcare system. One had found out that their partner's surgery to restore mobility has been rescheduled for the second time, bumped from October to December to February. I could feel the discouragement in this usually confident person. The other was with someone who had just been told in a brief phonecall of the discovery of cancer. They were meeting with a surgeon this week to discuss options.

Was God a part of these conversations? Were we on holy ground? My answer is yes. I have been praying for these households since Sunday and will continue to do so. I offered a hug, if acceptable, to one of the two and it was readily accepted. 

Advent is an opportunity. This time of waiting certainly seems to be more appropriate than forced Christmas cheer for so many.  I'm grateful that I don't have to do the dance of finding compromises for the season anymore. I still want to have ears to hear and eyes to watch for the Christ who is revealed in unlikely places. 

1 All earth is waiting to see the Promised One,

and open furrows await the seed of God. 

All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty; 

it cries out for justice and searches for the truth.

                                    Voices United 5