O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

As Christmas approaches, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season. Between Christmas parties, gift exchanges and countless other holiday activities, December can fly by in a blur.

This December, as we celebrate Advent at Church of the Redeemer, I am starting to learn to slow down and wait.  This can be extremely difficult for me, especially as someone who always wants to stay in control. When I am feeling sad or disappointed, I often want to turn on the Christmas music right away and skip straight to the joy of December 25th. 

 However, recently, the Psalms have been gently reminding me of what waiting can actually look like. The Psalmist pours out his heart to God, often expressing grief and frustration. Slowing down and spending time with God during such a busy season can force us to confront feelings that are uncomfortable for us, but the Psalmist doesn’t hold back in his prayers; he longs for the Messiah to come and for his suffering to end.  

There is also a deep sense of hope in what he writes. He knows that, eventually, there will be a day when everything will be restored. While he waits, he praises God for his faithfulness and the promises that he has made. 

The relationship between lamenting and hoping that the Psalmist demonstrates is hard for me to fully understand, but I am so grateful that God actually invites us to do both, that we don’t have to choose between being joyful and grieving the hard parts of our lives. I am also grateful that, within the fellows program and in the larger church community, there are people who are willing to explore this tension with me. Together, we have enjoyed moments of laughter and joy this month, watching Christmas movies together, walking through the Sunset Hills neighborhood full of twinkling lights, and sipping on warm drinks. We have also sat in prayer, tears, and stillness together, sharing the ways in which we are still longing for the Lord to come and restore us. 

 As we prepare for Christmas, may we all try to slow down in the midst of all the noise, and remember that God’s presence is with us no matter what, both in good times and hard times. 

With love,

Calley Hull