by Ellen Nester

It seems to me that "waiting" too often brings a negative reaction. Remember stressing before finally learning the test result? Remember holding your breath before finally receiving that important letter? Remember nail biting before finally being chosen for the job? Maybe Advent comes as a gentle reminder to make good use of the waiting.

It’s time to look to Mary again as our role model. When she learned that her cousin Elizabeth was pregnant, she hurried to her home... to wait with her. I imagine those waiting days as times of laughter, learning and growing closer-hardly negative images! If you have ever been involved in taxiing children to events, waiting becomes very much a part of your life. But enjoy the wait. I often found that long car rides were the best time in sharing with my children (they were a captured audience). A friend of mine kept spiritual reading in her car so she never minded that practice went an extra fifteen minutes. And truthfully sometimes just sitting and waiting was the relaxation that God knew we needed.

And now we wait ...wait for the Son of God to enter the world. We prepare for His coming by prayer and good works.

Many Council of Catholic Women groups plan special events during the Advent season - perhaps it’s a chance to carol at a shut-in’s home, or an opportunity to bring a meal to a family in need or a time to retreat with suggested Spiritual reading.

For many years, priests have prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. The New Ulm Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) has been encouraging women to familiarize themselves with these beautiful prayers which include the psalms. Perhaps this Advent season would be a catalyst to discovering the blessings of these age old prayers.

Our goal is to wait for Christ in Christ! Check to see what your CCW group has planned to help you celebrate the "wait" in Advent.

Ellen Nester is the New Ulm DCCW President.