FAITH MATTERS
A time of anticipation and patience: Advent a reminder that Jesus is worth the wait
John the Baptist is a powerful symbol of the season. His words and actions show how to prepare the way of the Lord
November 23, 2025
By Bishop Gerard Bergie
Contributing Columnist
When I was a teenager in the 1970s, there was a popular TV commercial for Heinz ketchup.
The marketing phrase, “Heinz ketchup is slow good” was used to emphasize its thick, slow-pouring consistency. During the commercial the song “Anticipation” by Carly Simon was played to emphasize this ketchup was “worth the wait.”
On Nov. 30, many Christian churches begin the season of Advent. This is a time of “anticipation.” It is a liturgical season of waiting and expectation.
The word advent comes from adventus, a Latin term, which means arrival or coming. We are waiting for the Lord who comes to us at Christmas and at the end of time. This anticipation should bring a sense of hope and joy rather than impatience.
Jesus tells us, John the Baptist is the greatest prophet (Matthew 11:11); he is also a powerful symbol of Advent. The reason for this is John the Baptist shows us how to “prepare the way of the Lord.” (Mark 1:3)
During Advent we focus on preparation, anticipation and participation.
John the Baptist tells us preparation involves removing obstacles. We must “make straight the way of the Lord.” (John 1:23). This requires removing the distractions we face during this busy time of the year.
We can do this by simply setting aside some time to reflect upon the fact Jesus became one of us to save us. As a familiar traditional English Christmas carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” states, “Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas Day. To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray.”
We also reflect upon the fact Jesus will come again one day and we need to stay awake and be prepared. This helps to keep life in perspective.
The temporal order should not distract us from what is eternal.
Anticipation requires patience and nobody likes to wait. This is especially true in our busy world. We wait on the phone, online, in traffic, shopping and in so many other areas. We want things to be faster.
The reality is we are frustrated when this does not happen. Advent reminds us “good things come to those who wait.” It offers an opportunity to reflect upon the virtue of patience and how important it is to be able to accept delay without becoming angry or upset.
Participation is the third aspect of Advent. It is an essential part of our preparation.
To have a greater appreciation of this fact, we look to John the Baptist.
As a prophet, John the Baptist was not simply a bystander on the sidelines. He was fully engaged in preparing the way for Jesus. His participation can be seen in his proclamation, “Behold the Lamb of God.” (John 1:29)
He wants people to see Jesus and to experience his love.
One of the most powerful ways people can see Jesus is in his followers. When we make the effort to be more like Christ, we participate in Advent. We are actively engaged in preparing his way by witnessing his love in this world.
Christians can celebrate Advent by asking, what am I doing to witness “the Lamb of God?”
Jesus may not be “slow good” but he certainly is so good. The anticipation we experience in life is focused on encountering that goodness on a daily basis.
Advent provides Christians with a wonderful opportunity to catch-up spiritually, especially where they have fallen behind.
It is a wonderful time to be reminded that Jesus, the Lamb of God, is always worth the wait.