THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Did you ever have that feeling that something was coming to you? Most likely, you couldn't put your finger on what it is, but your intuition tells you that something is on its way. You wait, more watchful, ready to act when whatever it is reveals itself. You pray, asking God to open your eyes to what it is. And then you wait.

Zechariah, Elizabeth, and Mary knew Jeremiah's words "the days are coming" and the promises of wisdom, safety, and justice. Those would arrive via the LORD, called Our Righteous Savior. Then, just as now, they needed each piece: Our – it's for all, righteous – incorruptible, Savior – a rescuer. Each component was coming their way, yet they didn't know when, so they joined myriad others before them and waited expectantly.

In order to wait expectantly, they needed to believe that He would indeed remember them, that he truly loved them and would be faithful to them. For those of us who have waited a long time for something, we know how easy it is to lose hope, to begin to doubt that those promises are real. Either Mary or Elizabeth could have expressed doubt, but they did not. They rejoiced and believed. Someone good was coming.Months would need to pass first; this, after waiting for years. In the meantime, they’d wait together, and while they waited, they’d hope.

Jewish writer Simone Weil said, “Waiting patiently in expectation is the foundation of the spiritual life.” We spend our lives waiting. Mary waited with Elizabeth, seeking that community to keep alive the flame of hope, and because they were together, that flame could grow stronger. These women show us the importance of waiting together.

We do that in this Advent season when we wait together in community. Then, as now, we wait in hope for Our Righteous Savior, our incorruptible rescuer. Though surrounded by darkness, war, and immorality, we light the Hope candle together. Not only literally but figuratively, holding on watchfully, expectantly.

Not to say any waiting is easy; hope holds hands with waiting, and waiting often tries our souls. Yet, we wait for something already begun in us, that seed of hope. Christ has already given us something, and he tells us there's more. Hope is trusting that something will be fulfilled, but fulfilled according to promises, not just wishes. Doubtless, those living before them wished he’d come in their time. He did not, but it did not make their waiting a foolish endeavor. On the contrary, it kept their souls in the proper posture for that season. May all of us do the same.