What is Advent Waiting?

How much time do you spend waiting each day? Have you ever kept a record of waiting? Probably not! Waiting is not easy for humans—we want to get things done and move on right now. 

If you’re like most people, you hate to wait. Think of standing in line at the airport. You’re getting ready to go through security, where it’s necessary to remove your shoes, belt, take out your electronic devices, wondering if you’ll get through without an issue! The entire process seems to take forever, though it usually takes minutes—it still feels like you’re wasting time! 

Waiting can seem like a form of torture. Yet, waiting on God is a crucial part of the Christian experience. This includes the waiting time we enter during the season of Advent. 

If you’re not sure what Advent’s all about, check out this post from last year. It explains what this season is, how it’s practiced, and more. Today’s post deals with waiting during this season. What is Advent waiting, and what’s it all about? 

Why Does God Make Us Wait? 

God has made waiting a “thing” since ancient times. You can find many instances of waiting in the Bible, including when Abram and Sarai (Abraham and Sarah) waited for a son (Genesis 11-25). Moses had to wait for the right moment to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 2-3). Ruth left her own country to follow her mother-in-law to a place, where she had to wait for a husband (the Book of Ruth). David waited to become king (I Samuel). These are only a few of the many examples of waiting in the Bible. 

In these examples, we see a pattern: God uses the time of waiting to prepare each person for the work He’s called them to do. Waiting is often a time of training, growth, and deepening faith. It’s not a passive, idle period. Instead, this is an active time, when God tests, teaches, and humbles His people, equipping them for what lies ahead. 

Christians experience seasons of waiting all through their lives. These periods are opportunities to build trust and faith in God and His promises, knowing that His timing is always perfect.  

Advent Waiting is an Active Time

During Advent, we wait for the birth of the Messiah, our Lord, Jesus Christ, and for the fulfillment of God’s promises to us. Advent is celebrated for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. It’s a time of hopeful longing and waiting with expectation. We wait with eager anticipation for God’s promise to be fulfilled in the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

During the Advent season, we wait with longing expectation for celebrating God’s love for us. He sent His Son into the world to save us from our sins and to fix our broken relationship with Him. This time of waiting isn’t an empty time. Instead, it’s a time of watchful expectation—a time of hope that God’s promise is fulfilled.  

But what exactly does it mean to wait during Advent? 

Advent is a season of watchful expectation. It’s not a passive waiting, but an active time of reflecting on the significance of God’s love for us manifested in the birth of His Son. This waiting isn’t empty or meaningless—it’s filled with purpose.  We wait with hope, looking forward to Jesus bringing His light to a dark world. 

Advent Practices That Ease Waiting & Prepare Us 

As I mentioned earlier, we humans like to do something—keep moving forward—we hate waiting with nothing to do! But in His wisdom, God has provided ways for us to use waiting times for growth, reflection, and spiritual preparation.  

Here are a few practices that can help us make the most of this season of waiting and expectation: 

Prayer: Advent is the perfect time to spend focused time in prayer. Reflect and meditate on the promises of Christ and the significance of His birth. You can use Advent prayers, or create your own, and remember that prayer is a two-way conversation—listen to God as well as speak to Him.  

Advent journal: an Advent journal can be a powerful tool for deepening your spiritual journey. It encourages you to slow down and reflect on the true meaning of Advent. Journaling helps you internalize the significance of this season, offering space for personal insights and growth. 

Read scriptures: Advent is also a wonderful time to read and reflect on the prophecies of Isaiah about the coming of Christ. Reading and studying the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth and meditating on their meaning is also helpful. 

Advent wreath: using an Advent wreath during this time is also meaningful. It’s an outward focus on what’s happening as we prepare during the season of Advent. The wreath and candles visually and spiritually mark the days leading up to Christmas. Light a candle on each Sunday in Advent and read specific scriptures in preparation of Christmas. 

Attend church: many churches have special Advent services that focus on preparing our hearts for the birth of Christ. Being with other believers during this time can encourage and strengthen your own faith journey. 

Deepen Your Advent Journey with From Darkness into Light Journal

One of the most powerful tools you can use to reflect and prepare your heart is a dedicated Advent journal. This year, consider using the From Darkness into Light Advent Journal to guide your daily reflections and spiritual growth during this special time. 

The journal is designed to help you slow down and focus on the true meaning of the season. With its 139 pages, it offers a day-by-day journey from the first Sunday in Advent through to December 31st. You’ll find Scripture readings, reflection questions, prayer request pages, and more. Each day’s entry provides: 

Scripture Readings: throughtfully chosen passages to center your heart on the significance of Christ’s coming bringing light into a dark world. 

Reflection Questions: prompts to help you engage deeply with the Scripture and its application to your life. 

Prayer requests: a space to write down your personal prayers and reflections, bringing you closer to God in conversation. 

Extra note pages: lined and dot-grid pages where you can jot down insights, creative thoughts, or whatever is on your heart. 

The journal also includes a reflection section at the end of the month, offering five thoughtful questions to help you reflect on your Advent journey. You can buy your copy of From Darkness into Light at my Gumroad shop! 

Gumroad is an online sales platform that allows creatives to sell copies of their digital products. It’s safe to use this platform, and it makes it easy for you to receive your copy of the journal! After you pay, you’ll receive a link to download your printable/digital Advent journal! 

I also offer other materials, such as Bible studies and more on Gumroad! 

Concluding Thoughts

Advent waiting is not passive. It’s an active, intentional waiting that fosters spiritual growth and draws us nearer to the heart of God. 

The goal of Advent is to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. While waiting can often be uncomfortable, the practices of prayer, journaling, scripture reading, and worship help us make the most of this season. 

By actively engaging in these practices, we can grow closer to God and more deeply understand the true meaning of Christmas—the light of Christ entering the world. 

God bless,

PS If you'd like to find apps for prayer, Bible study, etc., head over to our Resources page!