What We're Waiting For

On George Bailey and holy hope

Advent: a rush of purple candles and O Come O Come Emmanuel. Little girls in Lucia dresses, candy in shoes brought by St. Nicholas. We used to all argue about when to put the Christmas tree up; this year I saw less snarking and more sighs. All so busy, all so tired, falalala.

I love the liturgical year. I think it’s such a gift of (and to) the church. The rhythms and routines of a changing season to consistently remind us of who Jesus is. This year, more than any other in my life, I’ve been struck by that: the holy power of reminding.

Advent isn’t just a long list of Cyber Monday sales and a flurry of elementary school Christmas concerts. It’s purposefully designed as a season of waiting.

But what, exactly, are we waiting for?