Waiting for God
by Henri Nouwen
Waiting is not a very popular attitude. Waiting is not something that people think about with great sympathy. In fact, most people consider waiting a waste of time..... In our particular historical situation, waiting is even more difficult because we are so fearful....Fearful people have a hard time waiting, because when we are afraid we want to get away from where we are...
It impresses me that all the figures who appear on the first pages of Luke's Gospel are waiting. Zechariah and Elizabeth are waiting. Mary is waiting. Simeon and Anna, who were there at the temple when Jesus was brought in, are waiting. The whole opening scene on the good news is filled with waiting people. And right at the beginning all those people in some way or another hear the words, "Do not be afraid....."
From Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas, Orbis Books.
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