Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth.”

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Advent is the season of anticipation. The word Advent literally means “arrival” and during these four weeks leading up to Christmas we are waiting for the arrival of the Prince of Peace. Advent marks the beginning of the Christian calendar and it is a time when we reflect on the brokenness around us and the promised coming of the reign of God. It strikes me that there is a particular wisdom in the fact that our year does not begin with an event. It does not begin with the birth of the one who is supposed to heal our world. It begins in stillness, in waiting.

Waiting is not a substitute for doing. We don’t say, “Instead of going to the polls on election day, I’ll just sit still for 20 minutes.” Prayer alone will not fill a hungry stomach. And yet, in a near mystical way, science has shown that it is how we kit ourselves back together from the battering of life. Be still and go. Meditate for the movement.

Advent isn’t a passive time we have to get through before the real works begins. It is the work of birthing a new heaven and a new earth.

In Advent we repair our world by sitting and waiting and praying, Come, Lord Jesus, Come.”

-Rev. Rachel Johnson

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In your own words, how would you define Advent?

Take a minute to stop and breathe, to be still. What do you notice?

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This episode was written and recorded by Rachel Johnson. It was produced by Jim Keat. Samples include Ariana Grande, CNN, AOL, and BBC. Background tracks include Relenquish by Podington Bear, Holiday by Silence is Sexy, Innocent White Bred by Minden, Chimera by Podington Bear, Black Eyed Susan by Podington Bear, and Up in the Air by Dave Depper.

Visit www.trcnyc.org/BeStillAndGo to download the 2018 Advent devotional and to listen to more episodes of Be Still and Go.