Soon and Very Soon

“Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.”

It's Advent!*

It's the time of impatient joy. Will He just hurry up and come join us? Is it Christmas yet? Can we sing Gloria with the angels?

This Advent is, for me, marked by a more specific kind of impatient joy: the impatient joy of knowing that I will be home soon. Soon and very soon, I will go to see my people.

But it is also marked by a patient sorrow. I am leaving a life here. Things are ending. The goodbyes already began last Sunday when I visited my host family in Cusco. There are many more to come in the next 3.5 weeks (I leave on December 22). Some will be simple and easy, others long and difficult. Soon and very soon, I am going to leave this place. Without a doubt I'll know, that I have been revived.

I live Advent full. Full of patience and impatience. Full of sorrow and joy. In all cases, things will be changing soon and very soon.

*Advent is the 4 weeks before Christmas.