Can we learn to wait instead of consume?

When it comes to music in shopping malls, the human race can be divided into two groups: those that notice the music and those that don’t. I’m in the first group. I not only notice it, I listen to it, and then suffer from having it stuck in my head until I find some way to displace it. At this time of the year (does Christmas really start the day after Halloween?!), the “seasonal” music seems to be present in quantities you could call “invasive”. Even if you are in the second group, you might be forced to notice. And once having noticed the music, you may start to observe the recurring themes – home, snow, happiness, Santa-baby…but no waiting, unless it is waiting for one of the above themed items to be delivered on Christmas day.

To focus on waiting rather than consuming at this time of the year may be, in itself, a somewhat counter-cultural act. In a culture of rampant individualism, to consider what collective waiting might look like, and why it is important might be bordering on revolutionary. Stand back, “Occupy Wall Street”! The mighty force of The Table is threatening to occupy Christmas – with collective waiting?!  Well, we’ll see about the revolution part, but if you show up on Sunday I can assure you that we will at least take a stab at the ideas that we should be a “waiting” people, that we can learn how to wait. and that it matters to wait together.

And just so we don’t overtax ourselves with all this waiting business, this email will also include some info on our Christmas celebration. It will be worth waiting for, and promises to be here soon!

Peace,

Tim Plett