Our choir at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, FL sang our Christmas Cantata a few weeks ago. One of the songs we sang was about waiting and longing.

I love Advent as it is a great antidote to the chaos of the Christmas Season. In amongst all the shopping, plans for dinners, and many end-of-year obligations sits Advent, with its call to us to wait in hope.

Advent is a call to us to wait in hope for the Christ to come again one day in power and great glory. Advent reminds us that Jesus is coming again one day and He will set all things right!

When I read my newspaper or listen to the evening news, I realize how desperately we need that to happen. Thankfully the Prince of Peace will come one day and the fullness of His peace will be realized. The lion will lie down with the lamb. Peace will rule.

Yet, the call of Advent is to wait in expectant hope. It is not a call to resignation that this world is awful and we just need Jesus to come again. It is a call to us to be people of peace, mercy, grace, civility, and justice in our world NOW!

Jeff Binder writes:

“How is your heart these days? What obstacles in your spiritual life would prevent God from entering into your daily life? No matter how much work you do to prepare, no matter how many or few obstacles you may have in your life, the message from Isaiah is pretty clear: “There’s a new sheriff in town!,” and you and I will be witnesses together to God’s saving love.”

Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!