Advent and Cooking
Within the last month the Men’s Breakfast and Breaking Bread have been great opportunities to share a meal together. Food and good community go hand in hand. As we are now fully in December there is always a ton of opportunity to eat great food and be with people you love. What often gets missed in all the amazing food is the countless hours of preparation it takes to feed a community. Cooking a meal is just as important as eating the meal. As we all know good food requires cooking that takes patience, and precision. A good meal takes time.
How do we understand Advent within the context of sharing meals together? Advent is a season of preparation and waiting. Advent is the cooking, Christmas is the eating. Advent teaches us that God is preparing us and all creation for full restoration but it will require patience and trust.
2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” It is hard to wait on God, especially in times of darkness. However it is in these seasons of waiting God is doing his most profound work. God uses the season of Advent to teach us to wait not because the Lord is slow but because he is patient. Advent is acknowledging God’s ways are bigger than ours so we trust and wait. God is preparing all creation through Christ and for Christ’s return. Christmas is coming - so we hope!
As you continue through Advent use this prayer from Henri Nouwnen:
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.