Do Not Be Afraid: The Joy of Waiting in a Time of Fear: The Archbishop of York's Advent Book 2024

"'Waiting' is a word rich in spiritual connotations which captures a universal human experience. Waiting is something we simply have to get used too, whether we’re cooling our heels in an irritating online or physical queue or, more desperately, longing for change and justice as we fear an uncertain future.

In the Bible, the Psalmist says, ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.’ Jesus Christ comes into the world as the one long waited for; as the servant who waits on others; as the one on whom we are called to wait.

Offering 4 weeks of meditations and prayers - entitled 'Waiting for . . .', 'Waiting to . . .', 'Waiting on . . .', 'Waiting with' - this luminous book explores how, in the midst of frustration and exhaustion, there can be a deeply biblical joy in waiting. Waiting can be creative and hopeful, inviting us into service as well as stirring up our hunger for justice and love. Indeed, there can even be a theological power in frustration and boredom, which offers space to plan, prepare and join in prayerful solidarity with others."Read less