The promise given to David was that God would make for himself a home, and that David’s descendent would sit upon the throne forever.

A temple and a king.

But the Temple built by Solomon is burned to the ground and the line of David ends with the last king of Judah blinded and taken away to Babylon.

Yet the people of God kept on hoping in this promise.

And those hopes find their home in a young woman from Nazareth.

Last week a friend asked rhetorically, “Wouldn’t life be simpler if there were just good guys and bad guys?” I had to agree. It would.

Either/Or thinking creates less tension (and uses less energy) than Both/And thinking.

When it comes to what salvation means, some Christians would say, “It’s all about saving souls”. Others insist, “It’s all about making life on earth better.” Practically speaking, it’s Either/Or.

The readings for the Third Sunday of Advent, however, would insist that it’s not quite that simple.

Patience has been described as, “The quality you admire in the driver behind you, but can’t stand in the driver in front of you.”

For most of us patience is hard. But in the weeks leading up to Advent, and during Advent itself, we’re told over and over again to prepare—to wait with patience—for the coming of the Lord, past and future.

And so, it’s a refreshing contrast in this Second Week of Advent, that we, along with the original recipients of 2 Peter are strongly encouraged to give focus not to our own patience, but instead to consider and rest in the gracious patience of the Lord.

Turns out he’s really good at it.

A selection from week 1 of our Advent Devotional. Find more meditations and subscribe here.

Americans are impatient. Or at least I am. “Next day delivery on Amazon Prime?!? But I want it now.”

Wait? The ubiquitous droning message of the commercial world is, “Don’t. Have it now.”

This stands in cultural contrast to Advent: a season of waiting (and penitence) as we look forward to a joyous celebration that begins on Christmas Day—a feast intensified by the anticipation of waiting.

Especially, as now, when times are trying, it’s easy to be impatient for something good. And if you are, you’re in good company. The Prophet Isaiah certainly was.

Matthew 25:31-46 is the end of Jesus teaching ministry. The bottom line. Famous last words.

Who will stand in this day of judgement? Who can shoulder such a burden? When Jesus Christ returns to establish his Kingdom, will any of us make it through the gate?

Many assume that the opposite of love is hate, but it’s not. The opposite of love is apathy.

Similarly, the opposite of faith may not be what you assume. And it’s faith’s opposite that underlies and drives the narrative in this week’s Gospel reading.

Is it driving you, too?