Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming,
so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
With these words we began the Season of Advent, a four week period of expectation, hope and anticipation. A time in which each of us is called to the 'joyful hope of the expectation of the coming of the Son of God". These four weeks, marked by the presence of the wreath and candles, recall for us a period of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord. But it is also a time of waiting.
Is there anything more difficult or trying in our lives than waiting ? We are not acustomed to waiting. We have instant messaging. Waiting is uncomfortable; but Advent reminds us that it is what we do with the wait that matters. What will you do with the wait?