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Waiting and Expectation

by Steve Martin

      For  Catholics, Advent is both a time of waiting and a time of expectation.  These two words don’t seem to fit in with the world’s flow of hurried activity around us during this time of year.  Many people are rushed and frantic.

     Parking lots become a demolition derby where each driver battles for the closest spot.  Roads back up and traffic jams as the race to the mall begins.  Lines of frustrated people fight the crowds to get the right gifts while Christmas songs already sound out from retail store speakers.  Others wrestle with the clock carving out time to wrap presents and

decorate the house and tree.

     There is certainly nothing wrong with buying gifts for loved ones, Christmas songs, wrapping presents, and decorating for the Holiday.  Still, if we are not intentional about slowing down during Advent, we might find ourselves missing out on the true gift of this liturgical season...waiting in hopeful expectation. 

     What are we waiting for?  We wait for the coming of our God.  We wait for God to enter into our hearts to save us and sanctify us.  We wait for God to step into our world as flesh and blood, born to a virgin, Son of God, Son of Man.

     We expect great transformation when God comes to meet us in our desperate need for a savior.  We look for transformed hearts, transformed lives, and a transformed world.  We wait for Emmanuel, God with us.

     During this blessed season of Advent, let us live out our calling as a people of hope.  Let us make every effort to keep our minds and hearts on the coming of our Lord and wait with expectation for the greatest gift that has ever been given… the gift of God coming to where we are and calling us back to him.