The 3rd in a 3 part series for the start of Advent

Advent.
A time of wanting.

What do you want for Christmas?
A new bike, a new microwave,
A box of chocolates, but not one with the minty ones in…

This world is filled with wants.

Adverts, telling us what we want.
Watching the news and desperately wanting peace where there is conflict.
Business Enticing us with wants.
Hearing of friends suffering, and longing for them to be freed of their pain.
Supermarkets tempting us with treats and tantalizing tastes.
Wanting to live in a world where the most basic of human needs are met by all in this world.

But how do we distinguish our desires between selfishness and selflessness.
How do we keep our wanting in check with God’s wanting for us?

And in that moment,
advent connects with the climax of the story.
Christs words in Gethsemane echo in our ears:
“Father, not what I want, but what you want.”

Advent.
A time of wanting.

Wanting as Jonah did, inside the belly of a fish, for 3 nights praying, re-orientating himself from his own wants and desires.
Not what I want, but what you want Lord.

Wanting as Mary did, as she accepted the angel’s word: “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
Not what I want, but what you want Lord.

Advent.
A time of wanting.
Yet – what are we wanting?

A time of watching.
Yet – what are we watching for?

A time of waiting.
Yet – What are we waiting for?