Monday, December 2, 2013

Henri Nouwen - Advent Waiting



A waiting person is a patient person. 
The word “patience” means the willingness to stay where we are 
and live the situation out to the full 
in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us. 
Impatient people are always expecting the real thing to happen somewhere else 
and therefore want to go elsewhere. 
The moment is empty. 
But patient people dare to stay where they are. 
Patient living means to live actively in the present and wait there. 
Waiting, then, is not passive. 
It involves nurturing the moment, 
as a mother nurtures the child that is growing in her womb.



And an Advent Prayer from Nouwen:

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit
upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do
seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things
look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways
long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people,
walking in darkness,
yet seeking the light.

To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”




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