I was reminded by a classmate this week that waiting is hard. It’s hard to sit in expectation, not knowing what the future will bring.

In Christianity, we enter into this mode – expectant waiting – at the high holy seasons of the year. During advent, we wait for the celebration of Christ’s coming into the world. During Lent we journey towards Jerusalem – Jesus’ betrayal, suffering, death and resurrection.

We already know the outcome of these stories: the Christ child WILL come into the world, the tomb WILL be empty on the third day.

And yet, we find it important to our spirituality to wait for these times of celebration. We find it important to walk the difficult road. We don’t just rush straight to the joy, we focus on the uncertainty and the importance of trusting God to do the ultimate good for all humanity.

I love Advent. I love watching the lights go up and the trees appear in the front windows of neighborhood houses. I love singing the songs of expectation and hope. I love knowing that God is with us, even when we are ‘just’ waiting.

This Advent, may we all put our hope in God. May we find that hope in God is the best place we can be, even when the waiting is hard. May waiting make the celebration all the sweeter. May we be blessed.