THE Season of Advent also known as the ‘Waiting Season’. Life appears to get busier by the hour so that the thrill of Advent gets lost. Advent is rather special because beyond the seasonal trappings is the best gift of all – God made man who remains forever faithful with us.

Advent means the breathing in of the divine in human history. It is a time to welcome afresh Christ’s birth a chilly but warm event, whose light shines perpetually and whose coming was a long term plan for the salvation of humankind. Advent leads towards the end of ‘waiting’ and forward to the beginning of new hope for all.

At this time children eagerly await Christmas by opening an Advent Calendar each morning counting the days to it. Waiting though involves and requires patience.

The Psalmist invites people to “Wait patiently for the Lord”. This not an easy task to put into practice because being human patience is soon lost. Witnessing can be adversely effected by impatience.

We live in an era when ‘credit cards’ are readily available to take the ‘waiting out of wanting’.

Regardless what form of ‘waiting’ experienced in life in a more profound way the people of this world waited for thousands of years for the promise of a Redeemer to be fulfilled.

The Biblical meaning of the grace of patience as a fruit of the Spirit is routed in the patience of God whose love is steadfast and sure. Advent then is a “wake-up” call not to be complacent but to use the period to prepare spiritually by prayer and Bible study.

The society at present seems to include much corruption and deceitfulness suggesting that the Advent message of hope an impossibility. Advent though allows us the opportunity to ‘wait’ patiently with an honest heart and open wide the window of the soul.

Despite the seasonal frills and trimmings deemed to be essential pause awhile to think about the celebration of the coming of Messiah by placing Him at the top of Advent list.

A proper counsel for Advent is to cling to all that is good and reject all that is evil. Advent is an exciting and meaningful occasion as one approaching new beginnings and future hope dependent entirely on the unconditional love of God.

The God we spend Advent waiting for waits for our response. Comprehending the true meaning of Advent prepares a person to experience the real joy of Christmas. Come, O Come Immanuel!

“Make us patient kind and gentle day by day

Teach us how to love more dearly as we pray.”

June Pooley