More waiting...

This piece of art is by Ben Bell, from London. I have used it on the jeader of this Advent blog as it uses something urban and contemporary to reflect on matters spiritual. It is Sacramantal - it is an outward sign of the inner grace of God available to us through Jesus Christ.

And so this art image is an everyday image from his urban life. An everyday image for us, we all pause as pedestrians, waiting at lights.

This piece of art invites us to consider our experience of waiting; How do we feel when we wait at lights? What makes it hard for us to wait? What are the forces that push us, not to wait, but to hurry across? How do we feel about those who don’t wait?

And so with these everyday experiences, we approach Advent.

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.

In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate.

We affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for a Kingdom lifestyle.

We are called to be faithful stewards "between the times." We confess with "all creation that we are groaning awaiting its redemption," and our responsibility to "love the Lord our God with all our heart" and to "love your neighbor as ourself." Advent invites us to wait for the coming of Jesus.

And so, using Ben’s art, we ask ourselves the same questions: How do we feel as we wait for Jesus? What makes it hard for us to wait for Jesus? What are the forces that push us, not to wait, but to hurry across? How do we feel about those who don’t wait?

With thanks to http://www.opawa.org.nz/advent