From a talk given to a group of women in Leipzig in 2012 Advent I don't know about you, but sometimes I get this panicky feeling when I realize that Advent is just around the corner. There is so much to do: shopping for gifts, innumerable Christmas parties to attend at school, sport clubs, church. Getting organized for out-of-town guests, etc. What comes to your mind when you think of Advent? Christmas markets and Glühwein? (A German hot mulled wine) Advent calendars and wreaths? Candles, cookies, shopping, gifts? Food, music, church, gatherings? Waiting is the topic I want to speak on this evening. Advent is the time during which we eagerly (or maybe not so eagerly) wait for Christmas! If you google the word, you might find this definition on Wikipedia: Advent, anglicized from the Latin word adventus meaning " coming ", is a season observed in many Western Christian churches , a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the ...
A pessimist's pursuit of joy