Enjoy the Waiting

Tom Petty had it right. The Waiting IS the hardest part.

As this season of advent begins, I can't help but think about what Jesus would say about our modern approach to celebrating his birth. The season of advent is supposed to be a time of patient waiting. Solitude. Reflecting. Growing closer to God by pondering the wonder and act of amazing love that it took for Him to take human form here on Earth.

What it often feels like is a Mexican shoot-out.

I was recently reminded of this in reading articles about "Black Friday." You know, the day after Thanksgiving when people go completely spastic over all the shopping that can be done. For one, I learned that this day is called "Black Friday" because it's the day that supposedly puts all retailers "in the black" for the year. You'd think they come up with a more positive sounding slogan.

The article went on to say that many of the big retailers were opening at 4 a.m. this year. (You know, because being open at 5 a.m. JUST ISN'T EARLY ENOUGH!!!)

A friend of ours, who used to work at one of these retailers, tells an amusing story about working on "Black Friday" one year (back when this store opened at 5 am.) She said that people were in line around the building at 3:45 a.m.!! And when the doors opened, everyone SCREAMED AS THEY RAN DOWN THE AISLES in search of "the best deals of the season."

Really!?! Is this what Jesus would want us to do to celebrate his birth? Run through stores screaming at 5 o'clock in the morning (er, 4 o'clock now. Excuse me.)

During this month (and most others) our culture tells us to spend more. Consume more. Attend more holiday parites. Be all things to all people. So instead of reflecting we rush. And in the spirit of trying to hurry and do more, more, more...we enjoy the true Spirit of the Season less, less, less.

I have been guilty of this many, many times. But this advent, may we all slow down just a little. May we all seek out spaces of silence...to breathe....to reflect...to say thank you to the ultimate gift ever given.

And I believe that by doing so, we will discover much more about this season than speed could ever reveal.