Advent and the Question of Desire

“O come, Desire of Nations, Desire of our longing hearts.”
Advent, “Coming,” the Church’s special celebration of our longing for the presence of Christ, has found itself, or us, in an atmosphere crammed with obstacles to seeking and finding the depths of our desire. Where God promises an abundance of life, waters flowing, protection of the flock, mountains made low and rough terrain smooth, a peace to quiet our frenetic lives, we find ourselves instead pressed to trudge a wholly different terrain. As God promises a smooth highway, a time of flowing waters on the parched Earth, a coming-together in peace for humanity, we’re faced with mountains of obligations, piles of card, stacks of Christmas lists, the necessary bumps and boulders of parties, concerts, plays and pageants, gift exchanges, cookie baking, and ways that are rough with stress instead of flowing with God’s glad tidings. The highway of our God? We are plotting our trips from sale to sale, and driving in circles to find places in parking lots. Continue reading →