ad·vent (ˈadˌvent) noun : the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. In Christian circles, we commonly use this noun to describe the four weeks leading up to Christmas, in which we “wait for the coming of Christ.” We wait for the Advent, the arrival of, perhaps, the most notable person. But what does it mean to wait for someone who has already arrived, with whom we already have relationship? And, how should we wait for this experience to come?
This Advent I have been waiting. I have been waiting for the coming day when I will marry my best friend and true love, January 5, 2013. On that day, I will wear a beautiful dress, and take vows before my family and friends. I will become a wife and John will become my husband. I am anticipating and waiting for that day. And, in this waiting I have learned a few Advent lessons.
First, I am waiting, but it is not a passive waiting. It is a very active waiting. Before any of the events of our wedding day can occur, there is a lot of planning and preparation that has to take place. Thought goes into every detail, and I have to take time from my busy schedule to meet with vendors and work on projects, and attend counseling sessions and dress fittings. I cannot just sit back and hope that everything goes smoothly. I must dedicate my time and energy to this event, even while I am waiting for it to actually come about.
The same is true for us as we await the Advent of Christ. We cannot just sit back and let the season overwhelm us or just pass us by. We must be active participants in it. This means, we should be dedicating time to reading scripture and Advent devotionals. We should actually attend the Christmas Cantata or the “Walk through Bethlehem.” (Who knows, we might actually receive some blessing from them.) We should spend some time in prayer. Christmas will come, and Christ will be offered to us anew, but we should not just passively await that truth. We need to become active waiters.
Second, as I wait for my wedding day, I realize that I am waiting to have a relationship with someone with whom I already have a relationship. You see, I have a relationship with John. He is my fiancé. But in this period of waiting, I anticipate a new relationship with him. In just a few short weeks, he will be my husband. So, I am waiting for a new, different relationship with someone with whom I already have a relationship. This is the most exciting part of waiting for our wedding day.
As we wait for the day when we will light the final Advent candle, I hope we eagerly anticipate the ways in which we might enter into a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus. Yes, Jesus has already been born. Yes, we already have a relationship with him. But, I think I can speak for all of us when I say, our relationship with Jesus is not as intimate as it should be. In fact, my relationship with Jesus is far from being the most intimate relationship in my life. In this period of Christian waiting, let’s find ways in which our relationship with Jesus can become a new, more intimate relationship.
This year, as we actively await Jesus’ birthday, I pray that our efforts throughout this season will help us grow more in love with Jesus and the people whom he loves.
Aimee Day is a student at McAfee School of Theology and executive assistant for Baptist Women in Ministry, Atlanta, Georgia.