All earth is waiting to see the Promised One,
and the open furrows, the sowing of the Lord.
All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty;
it cries out for justice and searches for the truth.
Thus says the prophet to those of Israel,
"A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel,"
For his name is "God with us," our brother shall be,
with him hope will blossom once more within our hearts.
Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain;
open new highways, new highways for the Lord.
He is now coming closer, so come all and see,
and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.
In lowly stable the Promise One appeared,
yet, feel his presence throughout the earth today,
for he lives in all Christians and is with us now;
again, with his coming he brings us liberty.

~ Toda la Tierra, United Methodist Hymnal #210

Advent Waiting

Church,

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! I hope you feel the fullness of both delicious food and gratitude this week. Travel safely if you are on the road.

On a Thursday evening in early October, I was waiting for my son to finish baseball practice in Cedar Park. I went to a store in the area to buy some Halloween and Thanksgiving décor for the upcoming season (to go with my Saint John’s Pumpkin Patch pumpkins).

Turns out, I was too late. The store was already filled with Christmas decorations, smelling like peppermint candies and dazzled with pre-lit trees. I am not strict about Christmas decorations — I mean, let’s be joyful when we can — yet I made a mental note that fall items were gone before fall was. I had already missed them! In Texas, we order pumpkin spice when it’s 100 degrees and, I guess, Christmas trees before Halloween. I had missed the window because pre-purchasing for the next holiday wasn’t on my radar. Keeping up with keeping up was too much for me to keep up with.

If any of this resonates with you, I have good news: Advent begins Sunday! In the Advent season we slow down to anticipate Christmas. Advent is simple, clear, and quiet. Each week the story builds – hope, peace, joy, love, and light lead us toward God’s grace revealed in the world through the Christ child.

This year we will focus on the hymn Toda la Tierra, based on Isaiah's prophesy. The hymn draws from Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel" and Isaiah 40:3-5,

"A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

And finally, the hymn draws from the story of the season, baby Jesus’ promised coming. Through the voices of angels and prophets, the song outlines how we wait for incarnation’s promise. Through worship, Sunday school, and churchwide events, we will wait together: Toda la tierra espera, all the earth waits.

If you feel rushed or overwhelmed by the holiday season, do not worry. At church, we are waiting. And you, my friend, are right on time. I’ll see you on Sunday.