By Judith Jackson, SCL
Do you recall the season of Advent as a child? I do recall those four weeks with much fondness. Multiple images return year upon year to my mind’s eye. I do not have a memory of the Advent wreath in our home, but other friends of my era do recall that practice.
Rather, I recall as a family in early December going out to buy a “real” Christmas tree. We decorated the tree together. It always graced the corner of our dining room. As children, we each had our own special ornament with our name on it in the glitter of the day. Early on, we knew the December feast days. Our mother celebrated St. Nicholas Day, so without fail, our shoes were outside our bedroom door on the eve of Nicholas! No coal, but simple gifts came our way!
Placing the star on the top of the tree and the creche at the base of the tree without the figures were the most meaningful symbols for all of us. Mary and Joseph were journeying toward the manger on the right side of the tree, the shepherds on the left. The baby Jesus was in the top drawer of the dining room bureau. The Magi were, of course, at a distance in the living room on the mantel of the fireplace.
What joy and delight we experienced as we placed the figures at the creche when the Holy Family arrived on Christmas Eve and the Magi on the traditional Epiphany!
How did this practice form and inform our faith journey? What do you recall from your life journey? What did we as children learn about waiting from our childhood experience of Advent? Yes, we were also waiting for the material gifts that came our way, but also the spiritual gifts and the sense of belonging in our immediate and extended family.
This year at Marillac Center, we have chosen the theme of Waiting as the focus of our Advent Linger Over Coffee series. In reflective preparation as one of the presenters, I leaned on two spiritual writers who are favorites of mine, Sister Joan Chittister OSB and Henri Nouwen. I share some of their insights on waiting.
Learning to wait is an essential dimension of spiritual development. It has its own values, bringing its own character to the process of becoming spiritually mature. Waiting hones our insights.
Advent is essentially a season of patient waiting. To trust with open hands. Mary waited lovingly for something to happen. God can accomplish in us something greater than our imaginings.
The expectation of Advent is anchored in the event of God’s incarnation. I pray that Advent will offer me the opportunity to deepen my memory of God’s great deeds in time and will set me free to look forward.
Joan Chittister OSB
Waiting is a period of learning. The longer we wait, the more we hear about Jesus, and this leads to a growing inner stillness and joy, allowing me to realize that he for whom I am waiting has already arrived and speaks to me in the silence of my heart.
Henri Nouwen
Consider joining us at Marilac Center for one of the following events:
Advent Linger Over Coffee: Waiting
Week 1
December 2, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Marillac Retreat and Spirituality Center
Advent Waiting will find us exploring the waiting places in our homes, both the façade and inner space. Our input and reflection will be directed toward considering how we wish to prepare our “home” and how we may bring all parts of it into balance. This Christmas, may Christ find a festive and deeply balanced home in our hearts.
Register via email to retreats@scls.org.
Advent Linger Over Coffee: Waiting
Week 2
December 9, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Marillac Retreat and Spirituality Center
Advent Waiting We look to Simeon and Anna as icons of those who never lost hope that the promise made to the prophets would come to pass. Even though the waiting was long and God slow to act, these two elders lived in expectant hope that their aged eyes would behold the Promised One.
Register via email to retreats@scls.org.
Advent Linger Over Coffee: Waiting
Week 3
December 16, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Marillac Retreat and Spirituality Center
Advent Waiting will allow us to share together the inner stillness and joy of waiting and move us even closer to the figures of the creche: Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and Magi at a distance. We treasure the mystery of Emmanuel through sacred music, art, and poetry.
Register via email to retreats@scls.org.
