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Winter 2011 Quarterly Newsletter of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego


Waiting with Hope During Advent A


dvent literally translated from the Latin, adventus, means, “coming.” During Advent, we wait for the


coming of Christ in glory at the end of time. We also await the celebration of his first incarnation on Earth as a human child. In Spanish, the word, esperar, means both “to wait,” and “to hope.” Our issue this month revolves around the theme of waiting and hoping for Christ, both as we approach Christmas, and as we live in the reality of the here-and-not- here-yet kingdom of God.


Our waiting is active. We hope as we wait; our practice of waiting is imbued with our positive regard for the future. With Mary, we wait fearlessly, for whatever comes our way. We are girded by the knowledge that God never leaves us, no matter what.


Advent is a time of “joyful anticipation,” says author and illustrator Gertrud Nelson. “Advent’s not any more penitential than being pregnant. Because it is, in a sense, a spiritual time of pregnancy.” Read more of Nelson’s ideas on page two.


Waiting Hopefully: Advent wreaths light up our homes and churches during this dark time of year, and remind us of the hope we have in Christ. Waiting with hope teaches us to slow down, notice and wonder at the miracles that surround us every day.


good stew, or a healthy baby.


Our tendency, as twenty-first century Americans, is to rid our lives of waiting whenever possible. If we allow the season of Advent to teach us, and if we dig deeper into its meaning, we discover that waiting is holy because no good thing comes without a time of waiting. Not fine wine, bountiful crops, a


IN THIS ISSUE:


Bishop’s Letter


Page 2


Exploring Advent


Page 3


Student Parents Win


Award Page 7


Diaper


Drop and Other


Events Page 8


In these pages, you will discover a new view of waiting. You may begin to appreciate the experience of waiting as opportunities to practice a spiritual discipline. In turn, you may feel less harried and scattered throughout this sacred season.


You will read stories of God’s kingdom already come, and the ways that our


Episcopal congregations are working to midwife that kingdom. You will connect with Professor Glenn Webb in Palm Desert who experienced great satisfaction after a lifetime of work, a long period of waiting.


The kingdom is coming, even as it breaks in to the present in small but meaningful ways. Christ is coming. Will you wait, hopefully, joyfully, fearlessly? X


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