"I just want more!" My eldest child said that in his early years. After candy, after dessert, after opening presents, and it was always such an honest plea. It makes perfect sense too. Who doesn't want more of a good thing? To him, the logic was inescapable and simple. I just want more. I think it's the theme of Advent as well. Perhaps it's the theme of our whole lives. Maybe it's because we were built for more, and there is more to be had.
My upbringing did not utilize a liturgical calendar of any sort. The word "Advent" was never part of my frame of reference. As I learned about the meaning of Advent as a young adult it all made perfect sense to me. Waiting, longing, anticipating, mystery... all of these words described what the month of December meant to me growing up. "Would Christmas ever get here? Will I get the present I asked for? All of these lights are scaring me, but I love it! I hope this season never ends!" But it did. And I always wanted more.
Truth be told, my experience growing up was way too disconnected from the story that should evoke those same feelings, emotions, and thoughts, but with more depth. Waiting for Jesus, entering into the story of Israel and God's great promise to mend a broken world through a great King, and at the same time living in light of this promise being inaugurated with that King's first coming takes intentionality and focus. The early Christians knew this, and set aside time to re-enter the story.
This Advent season we enter the story by a focus on the idea of longing. We long for lives that are whole, and for a world to be healed. I hope to point us to how this longing tells us something about our souls, who we are made for, what we are made for, and ultimately pointing us back to Jesus, and the struggle and beauty of a life lived longing for more of Him.
Today Chuck DeGroat's post on Advent Disappointment helps us to envision the season of Advent as a journey of longing. I highly recommend it. Also, make use of our Daily Advent Devotional.
Join us each week as seek to locate our longings in Jesus, while we also celebrate that we have Him. But... we just want more.
