Advent is a time of waiting. In the liturgical picture it is the season of the Church year where we wait for the coming of the child Jesus whom we celebrate at Christmas. In the historical picture it goes back hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. We can imagine the Israelites who were captive in Babylon for generations during the time of Isaiah. Their idea of waiting was very different from what we conceive of in our observance of Advent. They were living in the midst of persecution and repression. Their waiting was about hope - hope that somehow and some day they would be delivered. They too were waiting for the Messiah, the one we call Jesus Christ and the one who became incarnate so many years ago.

Advent is a time of waiting for the Messiah who has already come. Advent is a time of preparing our hearts anew for the one who is always waiting for us. Advent is about opening our hearts to receive the one who has come to give us rest. It is up to us to prepare our hearts during the time of waiting. The invitation is eternal.