First Sunday of Advent 2014

You know that feeling of waiting for something or someone? It is a feeling of excitement or maybe anxiety. It can be a creative time, a time of high alert, where we may even be more aware of ourselves. Our senses are heightened especially when we are waiting for important news or results or waiting on a loved one to call or to arrive. Waiting is not always seen as a good thing but it can be a time for growth. And so, we enter into the season of waiting: Advent.

These weeks are weeks of great hope and joy and we celebrate God entering into our lives once more. This short passage from Mark reminds us to be alert, to use this time to prepare. What will our preparations be like? God is with us in many different ways, trying to catch our attention in the midst of our crazy, busy days. As we fight our way through the queues in the coming weeks, can we use 5 minutes, 7 minutes, 20 mins… to stop, be still, to ask God to enter into our hearts and lives once more.