Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

We are now entering into the season of Advent - the beginning of the Christian year. While the world is winding down the calendar year, we begin anew our Christian journey together by waiting. Not waiting for the ball to drop, as we do on New Years Eve, but waiting for the coming of Christ - both as the babe in the manger and the King who will come in final judgment.

Waiting is not a word most people want to hear. As a child many of us were told to wait our turn. To be patient. As adults we spend a lot of time waiting - in lines at the grocery store and the bank. Even as we try to make our lives more efficient, we still have to wait - for a reply, for an answer, and for so much more. But even as adults, it doesn’t seem like waiting becomes any easier - so for many of us, an entire season of waiting, Advent, is hard. We would rather fly through the next four weeks so we can sing our favorite Christmas carols and celebrate candle lighting services together. For many its Christmas that holds fond memories, not Advent.

And yet. And yet, Advent is so important to our Christian walk that it begins our year together, for waiting allows us to become people who seek after God. According to author, Enuma Okoro, Advent is important because it is during this time that, “we are invited to walk alongside faithful men and women who also sought after God and waited upon God to answer their prayers and to keep God’s promises.” In waiting we remember stories that have shaped our faith. In waiting we seek our patient partners in prayer through the people in scripture. As we hear ancient stories anew, we are invited in our waiting to make ourselves available to God in new ways. To come, seeking God, patiently together.

How will you prepare for the coming of the Christ this Advent season?