Advent’s Prophecy Candle—Practice How to Wait Expectantly

Last updated on: December 1, 2019 at 9:59 am by Paul Louis Metzger

Advent’s Prophecy Candle—Practice How to Wait Expectantly 2019-12-01T09:59:45-08:00 Paul Louis Metzger

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Advent Candle, Joel Bez, Creative Commons

Advent is about waiting—waiting for Jesus’ appearance. But it is very difficult to wait in a society of instant gratification, fast food, and high-speed internet. The Prophecy Candle that many churches light the first week of Advent reflects a lifestyle of waiting as the prophets of old waited patiently and attentively for the Messiah to come.

John Henry Newman reflects upon Advent as a time of waiting wisely:

Advent is a time of waiting, it is a time of joy because the coming of Christ is not only a gift of grace and salvation but it is also a time of commitment because it motivates us to live the present as a time of responsibility and vigilance.

How can we cultivate such a lifestyle of responsible and vigilant waiting for Jesus to come, not just on Prophecy Candle Sunday, but during the ensuing week and beyond?

Further to what was stated above, such waiting is not passive. We wait with urgent expectation. As we wait for Jesus’ coming, we need to get our houses in order. What can we do this week, this month, this coming year to prepare for his arrival? Word to the wise: it is quite likely the Lord will not come at the expected hour.

Let’s take a deep breath while waiting in the holiday season traffic jam or super long checkout line this week. Breathe deeply and think about how saints of old waited hundreds and thousands of years for the prophecies about the Messiah to be fulfilled. Ponder how their long-awaited one is with us now in spirit as we wait in line. As we clean the house or apartment for a Christmas party, or get cleaned up to go to one, let’s cleanse our hidden thoughts about God, others and ourselves stowed away in cluttered hearts with the awareness that Jesus sees all. As a housekeeping and grooming analogy, let’s consider cleaning out the closet into which we throw everything as we prepare for the guests’ arrival. Think about ironing the wrinkled shirt or blouse we wear under the sport coat or jacket to the party. Let’s get ready. He’s coming.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

November 29, 2019

Humble Glory Fuels God’s Missional Kingdom: Daniel 4

Next Post

December 6, 2019 "Religious Liberty — for All" A New Wine Conference

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz