Advent: Wait, Watch, Hope.
Stargazer. Star-crossed. Star-strucked.
Call me what you want to: I love the shimmering twilights in the nighttime sky.
If the evening news tells us there will be an eclipse – I am there.
If they predict meteors – even better.
I am obsessed when the moon performs wonders and shooting stars dance.
I used to drag our kids out in the middle of night to join in my fun. Well, fun for me; I am not sure for them.
One time I woke them up at 3 AM, dressed them warmly and drove to an airport where telescopes were set up to watch the once in a lifetime view of Haley’s Comet – once in a lifetime for me, but a possible twice in a lifetime event for my kids. Priceless!
Last Tuesday the Geminids’s meteor shower presented a marvelous showing in the clear dark skies. The kids are grown now and safely away from their obsessive mother. But being the diligent mother I am, I texted them that heaven planned to show off that night and reminded them to look up.
Even hubby Bill was working last Tuesday and gone all evening. Being by myself didn’t stop my giddy anticipation. The chilly Ohio evening still invited me to venture out for the performance, predicted to have 50 or more meteors per hour.
Since I am not a cold weather fan, I decided to watch the stars streaking performance from our hot tub. Not a bad seat I would say!
I settled into the warm water surrounding by gurgling bubbles.
I waited.
I watched.
I hoped.
I stared upward eagerly scanning the sky.
“There’s one!” I squealed like a child at a circus.
I waited.
I watched.
I hoped.
“Wow” another one raced from the tip of Orion so quickly I almost missed it.
A smile never left my upward scanning face as the stars skipped and hopped across the sky.
I melted into pure adoration – delighting in God’s creation.
My wonderment welled up into worship; praise swelling in my heart.
With each shooting star, my amazement intensified.
I waited.
I watched.
I hoped.
I was not longer alone in a hot tub in cold Ohio. God was present in all His glory!
Wait! Watch! Hope! – All words embedded in this Advent season.
I waited.
I watched.
I hoped.
Active waiting for the next shooting star mirrored my active waiting during Advent.
Advent is a pregnant time -a time of growth and preparation for a new beginning. We stay alert and active in the present moment.
Waiting for Him to appear.
Watching with intense anticipation.
Hoping while embracing the tension of not knowing when or where or how, but knowing He will certainly come.
Waiting isn’t a passive, hopeless state. Advent wait is actively seeking Him, searching for His presence, His next surprising, and unpredictable star frolicking across heaven.
We know God is here. He promised to come again for us. Whether we wait alone or with others, we wait, we watch with hope and conviction of His return.
Advent – Wait and watch, and always full of hope.
What Advent moment have you experienced this year?
I am thrilled you are an active seeking, Whitney. I know the last few years I certainly have paid more attention to His wonders. Thanks for stopping by today
I am always actively seeking God and what he has next for me. I bet your children have wonderful memories of the experiences. Visiting from SITS.
Hi Dolly I have gotten quite a few smiles from people about the hot tub incident but it really was a great viewing spot! Was a wonderful experience too . Thanks for the Christmas blessings – sending them your way too
Jean, I still remember our little exchange via comments about you waking up your kids…and I love the image of you in your hot tub, enjoying a free night show orchestrated by God…love that you are giddy with delight…wish I could have seen it…wishing you a most blessed Christmas with your family…hugs my friend 🙂
Thanks Lynn. I smiled the entire experience!
I watched the Geminids too, Jean! It was breathtaking–partly from the cold! I love the parallel you draw here–wait, watch, hope. Yes, indeed. Waiting with you, my friend.
Oh, my! What a smile bringer! So sweet and giggly! I loved this, Jean!
Jennifer, it was such a moment of pure worship, If my neighbors peeked in they would have thought I was crazy. pointing upward, giddily giggling, praying and praising. I am glad we can smile together!
Hi dear Jean
You are so right … waiting is a verb … a verb that makes a heavy heart soar on the wings of eagles. All true hope is personified in the beauty of our Lord Jesus. Like everything else, hope is IN HIM. Thank you for your beautiful words. I live in South Africa and we have many wide open land with not many city lights. We are blessed to often have the honor of enjoying the incredible starry expanse that takes your breath away in its beauty and fills your heart with praise for our Creator!hugs XX
Mia
Jean, these images–of you gathering your children around to watch the stars dance. . .and then your light-hearted wonder and heart-filled worship as you watch pieces of His creation’s glory, in your hot tub! . . . Tears of happiness are falling from my eyes now. My heart swells with the beauty and truth of how He offers Himself to us, uniquely wooing us to Him. I can’t help but see Him–giddy, too–as His daughter’s heart skips with joy and excitement at the light show her Father crafted, just for her. Thank you for awakening me more to Him today, friend. His joy overflows through your words, and I am smiling, friend. I am smiling.