Waiting has always been hard for me. Patience is a virtue that many are given, and it wouldn’t be very high on my prayer priority list. But this was made more bearable every year around Christmas when my twin brother and I would begin to make our Christmas lists. Starting as soon as Halloween ended, he and I would diligently list and describe which presents we wanted from each relative, and made sure to each ask for separate things to optimize the Christmas haul.
Somehow, making lists of the things we were excited about gave us a way to mark each day; relieving our sense of anxiety and waiting.
As I grew up, I realized, of course, that Christmas was so much more than what presents we would find under the Christmas tree. And that waiting has a purpose of its own, too.
This Advent, as I find myself halfway between the season’s start and end, I find that if I list my prayers of things I am hopeful for, rooted in the Bible readings for each week, I have a tangible list of things to expectantly wait for: for the scattering of the proud, for the lofty to me made low, and for the humble and meek to be exalted.
May God meet you wherever you are this Advent.
Peace, Dan Miglets-Nelson
dan miglets nelson 