Advent 1

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and already I have run into a grandmother who was up at the crack of dawn to get a gift for her grandchildren at a local electronics chain. What a contrast to those who waited for that first Christmas. I imagine Mary a young girl praying with her family as they gathered for the sabbath meal. How could she even imagine what awaited her. And yet as one who listened and waited for God's promises to be fulfilled she could say "yes" at the crucial moment.

During the coming Advent days I encourage you to find moments in your day to stop and practice being still and listening. It does not have to be anything long or fancy. You could just gaze into the distance, into the eyes of your child, your spouse a friend. Just stop and join all those who wait for the Kingdom of God to fill the earth. Try turning off the radio or music in the car. If children are in the car with you play a listening game. Ask everyone to be quiet and listen for a couple of minutes and then report all the different sounds they heard. Little by little increase the time of silence. After some practice ask them to listen to their hearts, to that inner voice of God. You may be suprised how much they like it.

Being an Advent Witness

Emmanuel Cardinal Sumaro, " To be a witness does not consist in engaging propaganda, nor in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery."

This quote leapt out at me when I read it the other day. As we move closer to Advent we are confronted by the frantic holiday season. Already stores are playing Christmas music and are filled with all the glitz and glamour of a "perfect" Christmas. Our culture sells us a holiday season that is all propaganda and stirring people up; when the original center of this feast is the birth of the most perfect living mystery, Jesus Christ. How can we live our Advent together honoring the living mystery that we are? How do we offer space to those we love and live with to breathe in and enjoy the living mystery that they are? How can we help one another remember, "the stable where for once in our lives Everything became a You and nothing was an It?"*

Over the next few weeks I will share some ways to join the spirituality of Advent that have helped my family step out of the holiday madness and enter into the joyful waiting of the people of God. I would love to hear what has helped you as well.

The first rule for a joyful Advent is less is more. Do you really need to attend all the parties? Do you have realistic expectations when it comes to decorations, cooking, gift buying? Would a better gift for your loved ones be time with you rather than the perfectly decorated home? What is essential and what is life giving? Wouldn't it be wonderful if your home could be an oasis of peace during the holidays?

When my children were young we pledged to only attend two Christmas parties. We also helped our children pick just two holiday related activities to attend. We consciously slowed down, simplified and tried to spend our time enjoying each other.

May we all be mysterious witnesses to the one who gave up all to be among us.

*W. H. Auden from For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratio.

Why waiting?

Why a blog about waiting? Does waiting really have a place in our day and time? For me the answer is a resounding yes. Waiting is a part of life but more than that is the privileged stance of the people of God. To wait on the Lord is to recognize that we are not in control that there is someone greater and wiser in charge. Waiting is not always passive. Sometimes the call to wait is a call to deep, prayerful action. This blog is my invitation to you to join the great community of those who have waited, who are waiting and who will wait. Together let's ponder how to wait as individuals, as families as a community of faith.