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The Bishop's Journal
December 1999
A HOLY WAIT
For me, the season of advent has always been a particularly magical
time. I always feel a surge of excitement as we begin another Advent
season. It is a season of expectancy, a season of waiting and longing; a
season that is especially significant for children and for the child who
sits somewhere within each of us.
Waiting isn't always an easy thing to do, but it is strangely
exhilarating! I'm reminded of an episode in the children's book Winnie
the Pooh where Christopher Robin asks, "What do you like doing
best in the world, Pooh?" "Well," said Pooh, "what I
like best . . ." - and then he had to stop and think. For although
eating honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before
you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't
know what that moment was called.
When I was a boy it was a rare and special occasion for my paternal
grandparents to come to our home for a visit. As he got older, driving
long distances became more difficult for Grandpa so usually we went to
their place. But once or twice a year they would set out and make the trip
to our house.
It was about an hour and a half drive going from our house to theirs. But
the length of the trip was somewhat less specific when grandpa did the
driving. You see, Grandpa was a bit of a wanderer. He liked to explore and
check things out. So, on the way down to our place they would often get
sidetracked while Grandpa sought out unclaimed treasures at a roadside
yard sale or set off to explore yet another obscure sideroad. That's just
the way it was!
As such, although I knew what day they were coming, I never quite knew the
time when they might arrive. And so, on the expected day of Grandma and
Grandpa's arrival I didn't only 'wait' for them, I 'watched' for them.
That meant that I had to live a little differently. I'd hang around close
to the house, usually in the front yard. I'd still play and even have
friends over. But one eye was always looking down the street; one ear was
always open to catch the sound of the old Studebaker cruising up our
street.
Those were days of watching, of living each moment as if they were just
pulling around the corner. And because I was watching, when they finally
did come (and sometimes it was a long wait!) I was ready and flew into my
Grandpa's arms before he'd managed to pull his second leg out of the car!
That, I think, describes something about the way that we ought to watch
and wait for Jesus. One eye open; one ear cocked; living with the ongoing
expectation of Jesus being just around the corner. Always waiting. Always
watching.
These are the two actions that are most characteristic of the Church's
Advent discipline. But they are not only for Advent. Advent is but a four
week practice session where we reassert the posture of expectant
anticipation which ought always to characterize our faith and piety.
Advent reminds us to be always on the lookout for God; not only as we look
ahead to some glorious moment at the end of time, but now, today, as we
are blessed by Jesus' surprising presence here in the midst of time.
Advent reminds us that God is always waiting to surprise us; always coming
to us in unexpected circumstances, on an unexpected timetable, through
unexpected people.
May God grant each of us a blessed Advent season wherein we are helped to
live expectantly and watchfully; with one eye watching and one ear
listening; forever on the lookout for our Lord! AMEN
The Rev. Michael J. Pryse,
Bishop
