The Preacher's Lectionary Notebook - Advent Patience in an Impatient World
The Third Sunday of Advent (Year A)
In his letter, James highlights patience, particularly a type that anticipates positive outcomes rather than succumbing to defeat. James illustrates this through the example of a farmer who patiently awaits rainfall, understanding that a successful harvest occurs in its designated timeframe. The farmer is unable to accelerate the rain, hasten the sun’s warmth, or rush the growth process. Instead, she focuses on nurturing the soil and placing faith in the natural progression of events. Some things in life mature only with time, and waiting is part of faith.
This posture of waiting connects naturally to the season of Advent. Advent is the church’s yearly practice of patient expectation. It stands in stark contrast to the rush of December, when every advertisement insists that joy can be bought, that peace is a product, and that fulfillment is just one more swipe or click away. Advent encourages believers to take a step back, engage in deeper reflection, and recognize that the most significant gifts do not materialize immediately but unfold over time. This notion is echoed in the words of James, who advises, “Be patient,” and urges individuals to “establish your hearts.” The intention is not simply to wait idly but to cultivate inner strength, ground the mind, and remind the heart of enduring truths.
James also states that “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” During his time, this anticipation influenced the early Christian perspective. They lived with a continual consciousness that God’s narrative was still unfolding. Advent serves to rejuvenate that same sense of awareness. It looks back to Christ’s first coming—quiet, humble, unexpected—and looks forward to Christ’s return, when the world will be set right. Waiting in the interim between these two arrivals resembles occupying a space where promise and realization coexist. James urges his audience to navigate this period positively, to refrain from complaining, and to resist attributing their frustrations due to delays onto others. The message of Advent resonates similarly—hopeful waiting fosters personal growth, while graceful waiting nurtures community bonds.
James highlights the prophets as exemplars; they spoke with courage even when circumstances appeared stagnant. They endured prolonged periods of uncertainty, frequently facing misunderstanding. Their steadfastness serves as a paradigm for the type of waiting associated with Advent—one rooted in promises that is still, in some ways, yet to be fulfilled. Advent counters impatience by reminding the faithful that divine action often unfolds slowly, subtly, and beneath the surface. In contrast to a world that prizes immediate outcomes, the kingdom develops like a seed—initially invisible but ultimately life-sustaining over time.
Both James and Advent emphasize a transformative waiting—one that fosters trust in the unseen and enriches hope. The farmer observes the sky, the prophets remain steadfast, and the church illuminates candles each week, marking time with serene anticipation. Advent conveys that waiting is not a squandered period; rather, it serves as a process of growth and readiness. It highlights God’s faithfulness, even when timelines extend beyond expectations. Within this patient anticipation, hearts are strengthened, hope is revitalized, and the promise of Christ’s arrival—both past and future—shines as a consistent beacon guiding our journey.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION
How does James’ image of the patient farmer challenge the way waiting is practiced during Advent?
In what ways can Advent strengthen hearts in seasons when God’s timing feels slow?
How do the examples of the prophets help reshape expectations about God’s work in the present?