Advent is a season of waiting. Some of us are better at it than others. Our culture, as a whole, is not very good at waiting. We generally want what we want, when we want it. Immediately has become our default setting. Advent is a time for us to cultivate the spiritual growth that comes with waiting. We wait for the day Jesus is born, and we wait for the day he will show up again. This waiting can be a time to draw closer to God. To get to know God’s hopes and dreams for this whole world. So, what do we do while we wait?

We ponder. We carefully and intentionally think about God. We immerse ourselves in scripture. We engage in prayer. We have meaningful conversation. We keep our hearts and minds open for how God may be speaking into our lives and world.

We prepare. We get space ready in ourselves for the arrival of Jesus. We “clean house” in our lives. We repent. We turn away from the things that draw us away from God and neighbor. We turn towards the things that draw us closer to God and neighbor.

We proclaim. We open our lips and sing God’s praise. We talk about where God is working in our lives. We talk about the things God has done in the world. We walk about the things God has done for us. We actively share the good news. The good news that Jesus came, and is still coming, for all.