Advent … an invitation to stop and notice. The world around us buzzes and whirls, distracting us from what is. Advent stops us, if we let it, and centers us around what is. Advent is a season of desire and longing. What is most true (truer than all else – deeper than the deepest depth) is that we desire God. In the speed and noise of life, we settle upon lesser desires (some perhaps sinful and some just less than, but all incapable of holding the depth, length, height, and width … the vastness that is the love of God unfolded in the human heart).

So, stop. Please stop. For the sake of God and His love for you, stop. Stop and notice, and sit with desire and longing. Then, as you go about the business of life, you will find calm and peace in the knowing that God alone is your desire and that just as Jesus was secure in the midst of the vulnerability of a first century Palestinian manger, you are securely held in His love.

Desire fulfilled is no longer desire. Advent reminds us of the “already, not yet” nature of desire. Christ became human flesh 2000 years ago (desire fulfilled) and we also wait for His coming each and every day (desire waiting to be filled). “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4) As we sit with the “not yet,” our lives are oriented once again around the truth that we are dependent creatures … depending upon His appearing not just in the future, but today and tomorrow. How will He appear today? How will you notice His presence today? How will you see Him as the one you’ve ben hoping for? Stop and notice.

This is the invitation of Advent.