St. Paul's United Church of Christ

Dear St. Paul’s Friends and Family,

The art of waiting is one of those skills that we have to develop early in life. I remember waiting for my dad to come home from the farm every night when I was a kid. My heart still feels glad, even after all of these years, when I think of the sound of dad’s 1977 Ford F-150 pulling into the driveway at the end of the day. “Daddy’s home!” I would triumphantly declare as I ran to the top of the cellar stairs to wait for him.

I’m sure that each of you have your own “waiting” story. Thinking about those times of waiting can bring back all kinds of memories. Wonder and relief at the end of waiting or pain and sorrow when our waiting doesn’t turn out as we had hoped. The holiday season is full of these sorts of emotions and of course, waiting. Just ask any 8 year old about this time of year and you’ll quickly learn that anticipatory waiting is hard. Wonderful questions arise out of waiting. How many more days until Christmas? What will Santa bring me? Will I get that totally awesome new toy or another scratchy sweater? When do we get to leave grandma’s house and go home and open presents?

Although these questions may seem frivolous to grown-ups, the emotions that accompany them can be profound. They are the same kinds of emotions that all of us experience when our waiting gets more serious. We wait for test results that will shape our lives and health. We wait for reconciliation with a friend or loved one. We wait for things to get better

or hold our breath because we just know things could get worse. We wait for redemption, a kind word, and most of all, grace. In short, we wait for someone or something to touch our lives in a healing and positive way. Waiting is great as long as the surprise at the end of the wait is life-affirming.

I think it’s appropriate that in the midst of our waiting we celebrate a coming. Advent, after all, means “coming.” God comes into the world in Jesus Christ. Not only does Jesus come into the world on a Christmas long ago, but he comes into our lives through the Holy Spirit every day. Christ comes into our lives as we spend each day working, playing, hoping, and waiting. Perhaps the miracle of Christmas is that God comes to us and shares in our lives. God knows our waiting: our hope, anxiety, pain, and joy.

Take a moment and think about your life. What are you waiting for? What are you experiencing? Jesus has come to you and is with you regardless of the sadness, guilt, sorrow, or fear that you may be experiencing. The same God who brought life out of death in Jesus, brings life out of death in our world today. God is born into the world each day through the Holy Spirit’s coming and dwelling with us.

Emmanuel, God-with-us, has come, is coming, and will come to us for all eternity. May God give you rest and peace in this holy and crazy season of life.

Blessings,

Pastor Matt