The joy of patient waiting

I have been trying to find a good translation for the German word Vorfreude. It describes well the feeling of Advent. Vorfreude is much like anticipation but maybe not entirely. Literally translated, it means "pre-joy."

It is the joy I experience when I know that something joyous is around the corner -- like a vacation, or a birthday, or the visit of a dear friend.

In my experience, patient waiting is pretty counter-cultural. Whatever it may be, we either want it now, or if that cannot happen, then we will at least not enjoy the time until it happens. So often, we tend to be focused on instant gratification of all needs (and wants). Other times, we focus so much on getting somewhere else that we forget where we are now.

During the coming months, my husband Matt and I will be trying to learn how to wait. We want to live into the Vorfreude of expecting a child. Because Vorfreude is different. Vorfreude happens in the here and now, even though we are waiting for something in the future.

Advent is enjoying to wait for something wonderful. Advent is Vorfreude.

The very nature of our Christian life is that of Advent. As children of God, we enjoy living our lives in the light of Christ here and now. At the same time, we are full of joyous expectation and looking to the day when God will complete what God has begun in Jesus, when there will be no more tears. The ultimate Advent.

I pray that especially during this dark season of the year, you and I will take time and make space to experience the Vorfreude of the season of Advent, of God bringing God's light into the world.

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! And until then, let us live with Vorfreude in the light of Christ.

- KATHARINA JOHNSON

Re-published from"spirit", St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA