Advent, a time of patience, hope, joy and communion

It is a challenge to experience Advent as it begs to be observed. The church calls us to a pre-Christmas preparatory time of quiet introspection while all around us is busyness and noise. The church calls us to wait patiently, even while the television shouts — especially now in a time of shortage of goods and supplies — “Get it now!” While the Advent message would awaken us to charity toward those in need, commercials beckon us to desire what we want for ourselves and our own this time around.

As we enjoy December, a festive month of gatherings, lights, decorations and music, let us also listen to the Advent Scriptures and carve out moments to experience this sacred time. Here are some possible ways:

First week: Patience

“For you [Lord] I wait all the day long” (Psalm 25:5).

Pray, breathe, meditate on these words this week whenever you find yourself stuck in busy traffic, fretting over an appointment delay, standing in line at the grocery store. Turn each of those moments into sacred time. When you find yourself particularly stressed, find the longest line!

This week, if you are waiting on someone — child or adult — remember: God waits on each of us. Patiently. Like a parent with a growing child, or a beloved spouse, or a farmer awaiting the yield of the field in winter and in spring rain.

This week, practice patience.

Second week: Hope

“The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth …” (Luke 3:5).

We hear the words “shall be,” and think, ‘In our dreams!’ How will we ever come to the end of our winding roads of disagreement, our rough ways of incivility, our deep valleys of hate, the steep mountains that stand between us? Scripture tells us that in God all things are possible. An Episcopal priest in Lakeside, Arizona, recently put that in a new light for me. He said, “Without God, we can’t. Without us, God won’t.”

Do we hope for civility? We must be civil in our own speech. Do we hope for truth? We must seek truth. Do we hope for peace for all? We must be peaceful toward all. Do we hope the dangers of COVID will pass? We must protect each other, wear a mask, get vaccinated. Do we hope that hunger, thirst, imprisonment and loneliness will lessen? We must contribute our time and resources to that effort. “Without us, God won’t.”

Give flesh to hope this week.

Third week: Joy

“Shout for joy, daughter Zion! … The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst” (Zephaniah 3:14-15).

The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday. We rejoice in the closeness of the Lord’s coming to us. Two things we can do this week. First, pay close attention to what brings joy: a sunrise or sunset; breakfast with our spouse or a friend; a meaningful conversation; a helpful or kind word that comes our way. Second, look for ways to create joy for others: share the beauty of the sunrise or sunset; tell your spouse or friend how much you love or appreciate him/her; telephone someone you have not spoken with in a long time, someone you think may be struggling; offer a helpful or kind word to a person you know or to a complete stranger.

This week, live joyfully, create joy, find ways to share joy.

Fourth week: Communion

“ … and they will call him Immanuel, a name which means “God-is-with-us” (Matthew 1:23-24).

Our words communion and community come from two Latin words: com, meaning “with” or “together”; and unus, meaning “oneness” or “union.” Christians celebrate that God, in Jesus, has become one with us in our human nature. No more separation. The gap is closed. It is why, after receiving Communion in church, I do not return to my seat and close my eyes, but instead sit back and watch the parade of folks who, because of God, I am becoming one with!

The challenge for me this week — and I offer it for your fourth week of Advent task as well — is to continue to hold that awareness of oneness: with those I meet in the grocery store and post office; with the driver who impatiently honks his horn at me; with the cranky cashier who is only cranky because s/he is stressed to the max; with persons who may test my patience. And to recognize a relationship — a communion — with each.

Christmas Eve and Day will come. You and I will be ready. Or not. It won’t matter, if we arrive with Advent hearts full of patience, hope, joy and communion.

Tucson faith leaders, we would like to include your original sermon or scriptures of encouragement. Sermons must be written by the person submitting them, not borrowed from another source or writer. If you are a faith leader from any religion or denomination, please contact Sara Brown at sbbrown@tucson.com.