Worship Wednesday - Waiting

What comes to mind when you hear the word "waiting"? For me, the word conjures up an image of frustration - toes tapping, arms crossed, brow creased - counting down the seconds until some event finally occurs so that I can get on with the next thing on my to-do list.

However, as I've been preparing my heart for the Christmas season, I've started to develop a new perspective. If you think about Christmas, it's really all about waiting. Except, in this case, waiting brings to mind a sense of hopeful anticipation‎ and ultimately results in longing fulfilled. As the waiting draws to a close, it signifies a wonderful new beginning more than the end of a season.

Think of Simeon and Anna who had waited their whole lives to see the Messiah - patiently and expectantly hoping for His appearance. Think of their joy when their hope was finally fulfilled in Jesus. (Luke 2:22-40)

Or, think of the children who start counting down the days to Christmas as soon as summer vacation ends. Think of their excitement as they anticipate the wonder of Christmas morning and the presents that will be waiting for them under the tree.

When you think about waiting in that context, it looks a lot less like something that should be avoided at all costs. In fact, I'm beginning to think that waiting is one of those disciplines that we should embrace as part of our worship unto the Lord.

Consider this quote:

"Celebrating Advent means being able to wait. ... Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting - that is, of hopefully doing without - will never experience the full blessing of fulfillment." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

As you prepare for Christmas, are you waiting with an open heart and an expectant spirit - or are you frantically rushing through your to-do list with your mind set on just getting through the season?

I think the writer of this hymn understood the importance of waiting:

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit,
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.