Today is the first day of advent and since I've been a very young child, it's been a season I cherish. I loved having nightly devotions with my family as we waited in hope for Christmas, the arrival of our Savior to arrive.
Well. We couldn't drive because of the elections today so we did a home church and started off the advent season together. I am finding out as an adult that my sentimental memories were probably not as sentimental for my parents. I spent most of my time yelling at my kids to be quiet and respectful since we were "in church." (Which of course prompted discussion as to why I was wearing jeans... (don't get me started...)
Anyway, we had just explained the concept of how the Israelites had waited for hundreds of years with only the hope of a promised Savior. I then posed the question, "What is something you've had to wait a long time for that you felt like would NEVER arrive?"
When I was met with blank stares, I elaborated about when we were waiting for Nico to come home from Haiti. It just seemed like it took forever but we were spurred on by the hope that he was coming.
I could see things starting to resonate in their young minds. It's as if lights were starting to go off in their heads. So I again repeated the question-- "What is something you've had to wait a long time for that you felt like would NEVER arrive?"
Josiah's little pudgy hand pops up.
I call on him, "Yes, Josiah. What is something you've had to wait for?"
Without a pause he says, "Si ou genyen cholera, w'ap mouri." (If you have cholera, you're gonna die.)
Nice.
That prompted a fresh round of laughter from the entire family which threw everyone off of the seriousness of the solemn season and then devotions were pretty much over.
Gotta love advent.
