Each year, we begin the new liturgical year with a four-week celebration of Advent. Advent is our season of beginning which focuses on waiting. The scripture reminds us to actively wait for the coming of the Lord as king at the end-time.
 
Henri Nouwen once said, “In our personal lives, waiting is not a very popular pastime. Waiting is not something we anticipate or experience with great joy and gladness! Most of us consider waiting a waste of time. Perhaps this is because the culture in which we live is saying, "Get going! Do something! Show you can make a difference! Don't just sit there and wait!"
 
For many people, waiting is that place between where we are and where we want to be. We do not enjoy such a place. We want to move out of it and do something worthwhile.  Advent reminds us to be patient as we wait on the Lord.  In the meantime, we are encouraged to look back over our life to see how we have prepared a place for Christ to be born again in our lives and in the lives of those whom we love.  We are watchful and alert! While we are waiting, come Lord Jesus!

As we wait for Jesus’ return, we should stand and raise our heads for the Lord shall come to bring us peace. Many things in our world can distract us and even tempt us during our spiritual journey of waiting for the Lord. All the stores, newspapers, music on the radio stations and TV commercials remind us that Christmas is coming. They are encouraging us to buy and spend even the little money that we may have. Adoring Christ and the gift he is and brings to the world is our focus as people of faith.

On this first Sunday of Advent, the Gospel reading reminds us to be “vigilant at all times.”  He says that we should not let the anxieties of life cause us to become weary as we wait for the Lord’s return.  Let this season of Advent be a time of change and new beginnings. Let it be a time of joy and a time of hope for each of us. Only God can take the broken pieces of our lives and put them back together again.  Through this Advent, we must listen to the angels who sing- Glory, Glory, and Glory to the newborn King! Come, Lord Jesus.