First Monday of Advent

I waited patiently for the LORD;

   he inclined to me and heard my

       cry;

He drew my p from the desolate

       pit,

   out of the miry bog,

and set my feet upon a rock,

   making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

   a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

   and put their trust in the LORD.

                            (Psalm 40:1-3)

While you are at the stores this season, watch.  Take note of the people: some are tapping their feet, wishing the person in front of them would stop asking so many questions of the clerk; others are looking at their mobile phones, wondering how much longer it will take to buy the items in their cart.  Some are shuffling along, burdened by the trappings of the culture, all the wrappings of the season; others are simply muttering under their breath (and it's probably not carols!)

Now, while you are standing line, wait.  Wait for the One who gently nudges your feet, until you are set on that solid rock of grace; wait for the One who puts the detour sign up, so you have to turn down the path of patience; wait for the One who takes all those muttered imprecations, and rewrites them as songs of hope and comfort.

And while you are waiting, listen.  Listen for the One who can open our ears to the carols children sing as they make snow angels; listen for that angel who is asking you (yes, you!) to become the handmaiden of God's love to the world; listen to the faltering memories of the person sitting out in the hall of the nursing home;  listen to the echos of joy which were placed in your heart as a child, which you have buried deep in that place you rarely visit.

Watch, wait, listen  -  for there is One who has watched over you forever, who listens to your every sigh, and who can no longer wait to be with you.

(c) 2011 Thom M. Shuman