Judy Chessen is a Rabbi. She is waiting for the Messiah. She lives Advent everyday. She is not necessarily looking for a person, but an age. The conference of Rabbis of the Reform Jewish movement that Judy belongs to describes her waiting with this statement: "We dedicate ourselves, as did the generations of Jews who went before us, to work and wait for that day when 'They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.'" The rabbis further state, "The existence of the Jew is an argument against despair; Jewish survival is warrant for human hope. "

Conservative Jews accept that "Judaism teaches us that every individual human being must live as if he or she, individually, has the responsibility to bring about the messianic age." Along with Orthodox Jews they "believe with full faith in the coming of the Messiah. And even though he tarries, with all that, we await his arrival with every day."

Rabbi Chessen notes that we who believe in Christ are also a people in waiting, an Advent people. Although we believe the Messiah has come, we wait in hope for a second coming. We long for the Kingdom proclaimed by Our Lord.

As Marianists we say "Yes" to that Kingdom at every gathering. We study and discuss how we can become "full of the knowledge of the Lord."  We celebrate mass with a priest proclaiming, "We wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior, our lord, Jesus Christ." We actively try to end "hurt" and destruction. We take on the "responsibility" of bringing Christ's presence into the world. And "even though he tarries" we await the second coming of Christ everyday.

Come to think of it, if you want to know about Advent, talk to a Marianist.

peace and love,

aj