WAITING… IN JOY "Even though the celebration of Christmas is exploited for business profit and used for selfish purposes; even though the meaning of Christmas is often corrupted; in spite of all this, we all feel the impulse at this time to think of others, to be there for others.

This itself shows what this joy of anticipation is. It is the feeling of human solidarity, the exulting joy in one another... the brightness and fragrance of the Christmas tree under which Christmas gifts are laid - here is light and warmth, symbolizing life and love."

- Emmy Arnold, from "Christmas Joy"

This morning I sat at my desk trying to finish the Sunday bulletin for Advent 3, the Sunday of "Joy". Our church has been using clip-art pictures for our bulletins and I got stuck trying to decide which picture to use. I had narrowed the choices down to a lighted tree set against the snow, or an angel ornament hanging on a tree. I sat there, undecided, trying to decide which picture would best invoke people's sense of joy - until I realized that there was no way I could know. Our experience of joy is completely subjective. What I do know is that joy seems to be both something that can surprise us, but is also a choice we can make. Each of us has the capacity to choose to be open to joy - at least to "actively wait" on joy, trusting in God's promise that joy shall come into the midst of our experiences, even to the parched and dry areas, when we are open to grace and the possibility of transformation. How do we experience joy in Advent? I believe there is a profound joy to be encountered in waiting and anticipation. I think of the joy my six-year old daughter takes these days in helping to decorate the house and make cookies together. Yes, it's fun but her joy I think also reflects her anticipation of Christmas getting closer. We purchased her Advent calendar at the beginning of November and you would not believe the joy she exuded on the first day she was able to start the calendar. Now we are waiting for Grandma to arrive (only 6 more sleeps!) and as her anticipation mounts, so does her joy. Last weekend she was so excited that grandma's visit was close that she decided to make grandma a "homemade gift basket".

So she took a basket and began filling it with "treasures" she found around the house - mini chocolate bars from her leftover Halloween candy, some candles and small stuffed animals, a few pretty ribbons. She has just started learning how to knit, so the remainder of the week was spent knitting what was first going to be a purse, but which eventually ended up as a "potholder" for grandma. When it was finished, she carefully and proudly placed it in the middle of the basket to complete her "homemade gift" for grandma. What struck me was the absolute joy shining in her eyes as we wrapped the basket up in cellophane and tied it with ribbon; joy in anticipation of the joy her gift would bring grandma when she received it. It is said, "and a little child shall lead them..." * * * What do I do while I am waiting? How do I find joy in the waiting? My hope is that I will follow the example of my child, and find joy in the simple things - in sacred moments spent with family and friends, in a quiet cup of tea in the midst of frantic scurrying, in getting covered in flour and sticky fruit, in finding ways to bring joy to others. And in tending the flame of love and light that God kindles in me, as I trust in the promise of new life being born within me and into the life of the world, over and over again.