Advent Reflections
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022
By Tauna Sisco, Sociology and Social Work
It is fourteen days until Christmas and my youngest child has been counting down for months. He asks daily, “Is it Christmas yet?” I reply, “No, you need to practice patience!” But how are we supposed to practice patience?
Today is Gaudete Sunday where we take time to pause, reflect, and rejoice for Jesus’ birth, and more importantly, his death that secured our eternal life with him. Isaiah (35:1-6a) reminds us of this transformation and ultimate joy, where “the deserts will become green” and “strengthen those with tired hands.” James tells us to “be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You must be patient too” (James 5:7-10).
Unfortunately, especially at the holidays, we often turn our focus away from Jesus and our joy rooted in Him to to-do lists, shopping, cleaning, stress, and in the case of my six year old, a list of Christmas presents.
That’s not patience—that’s busyness. Patience, James tells us, is an active, purposeful, cultivating process that prepares our souls for Christ. Patience encompasses how we treat others. Patience is how we react to the beauties and hardships we experience on our life’s journey. Patience occurs through prayer. Patience doesn’t stop December 26th.
Like the farmer, we must actively prepare our hearts for Jesus. Whether we realize it or not, becoming Christ-centered will ease us into practicing patience year round—and prepare us for the joy of His arrival.