The Meaning is in the Waiting: The Spirit of Advent

by Paula Gooder

Is it worth the wait?

Paula Gooder shows how the spiritual practice of waiting is vital to our well-being. With warmth and insight, she helps us re-learn the skill of waiting, and invites us to engage with the real, flesh-and-blood people that are the subject of our Scripture readings and lessons each  Abraham and Sarah, the Hebrew prophets, John the Baptist, and Mary. Each of them exemplified how to wait upon God for wisdom, joy, and the meaning of life.

"In this winsome yet provocative Advent devotional, I began to sense something I had not understood before, in any of my other Advent observances -- it is not just we who wait. God is waiting too.  'The Lord waits, that he may be gracious unto you,' says Isaiah, one of the prophets who interests Paula Gooder most. God waits on us, for our attention, for our visits home; God waits for our vision, and our ear." -Lauren Winner, from the foreword
  The Meaning Is in the Waiting is arranged for daily reading in the hectic run-up to Christmas. This thoughtful book will enable you to grow more fully into a way of being that is expectant rather than urgent, more focused on God’s presence right now than on some imagined future. 

Genres: Christian, Christmas, Nonfiction, Christianity, Theology, Religion, Spirituality

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2008

About the author

Paula Gooder is a speaker and writer on the Bible, particularly on the New Testament. She began her working life, teaching for twelve years in ministerial formation first at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford and then at the Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. Following this she spent around eight years as a speaker and writer in biblical studies travelling the country and seeking to communicate the best of biblical scholarship in as accessible a way as possible, after that she spent six years working for the Bible Society as their Theologian in Residence and then for the Birmingham Diocese as their Director of Mission Learning and Development. She is currently the Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Reviews

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. I enjoyed it a lot more because I was reading it as part of a book study. Halfway through, I started reading one little section a day (rather than the whole chapter in one fell swoop), and I much preferred it that way. Overall, however, I didn't particularly feel like the book gave me a lot of new insight. Most of what I took away from this was actually from our conversation surrounding the book, rather than the book itself.

[David Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little devotion on the power of waiting.

[Ben]

dnf in time sorry small group

[Kate Brumby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although we are not at Advent yet, I wanted to read The Meaning is the Waiting as I reflect on waiting and on 'being in the moment'.
I have read the whole in 2 days - feasting on every word, highlighting something on almost every page.
Dr Paula Gooder's insights and teaching are wonderfully accessible - I could hear her voice as I read, aware of her intonation, clarity and delight in sharing God's Word.
Every time I read one of Paula Gooder's books I am drawn further into, and also inspired to want to read more and know more of the Bible.
Paula Gooder in her book 'Parables' suggests that parables should come with a health warning - I would say her books should - her love of both Scripture and of the teaching of it is infectious!

I will re-read The Meaning is in the Waiting during Advent - savouring and digesting more the second time through. I am confident it is a book that I will return to again and again.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a different Advent book every year, and this is one of my favorites. In fact rather than go to the donate pile, this one will go in the read it again in a few years pile. Instead of just focusing on the nativity story, the reflections center on other characters of the bible who waited....and waited. Abraham and Sarah, the Prophets and John the Baptist in addition to Mary. Each reflection is only a few pages long, and they can be read more than one at a time, unlike other books with a "December 5", "December 6"...where you can quickly fall behind and sometimes never bother to catch up.

An enjoyable way to learn about salvation history, and see the Old Testament and New Testament connections.

[Mayo Adigun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paula Gooder does it again. I used to Wait in Advent 2021, a year that has been characterized by a lot of waiting for me. Wait with Abraham, the OT prophets, John the Baptist and Mary. Very insightful empathetic reflection on these characters. Paula's words inspired me to be more mindful as I wait on God so many levels in life. As we wait on what has happened and what is to happen, I pray with Paula and R.S. Thomas:
"Prompt me, God; But not yet.
When I speak, Though it be you who speak
Through me, something is lost.
The meaning is in the waiting."

[krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great, profound Advent readings. Didn't really enjoy Week 2, but Week 1 and Week 3 were both incredible!

[Michael Cyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great devotional book for Advent that helps us to better understand our faith as we draw closer to God and to the glorious and terrible Day of the Lord.

[Dkbbookgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Advent book

[Fubzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and relatable. One of the best advent books I've read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not super good with devotionals. This one mostly held for me, by its combination of scholarship with a warm humanity, and the patience to let the mystery to unfold.

[Bethany Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, contemplative Advent companion.

[Melissa Verner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read learnt lot

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Eugene · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on the four Sundays of Advent. She uses each Sunday to discuss how certain biblical figures wait expectantly rather than anxiously. These include Abraham and Sarah, the prophets, John the Baptizer, and the Virgin Mary. I found it helpful for teaching and preaching this month. It was also helpful in my personal practice for the season.

[Alexis Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple but effective book on Advent. Gooder breaks the chapters up into manageable sections (4 chapters--one for each week of Advent--and 6 sections to a chapter). It's short enough to fit into even the busiest schedule, and provides a much-needed reminder of the benefits of waiting (a great counterpoint to the desire for instant gratification that characterizes our culture, particularly at Christmastime). Waiting on God is something all of us need to do better, myself most of all. This could very easily become an annual Advent read for me.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me to live in the present, to be actively patient, to do what needs to be done today and not fret about tomorrow. It also taught me to be mindful of ways to be humble, joyful, and thankful for everything that comes my way. This a great book for Advent, to prepare for Christmas, and to start the New Year ready for what lies ahead.

[Emily McFarlan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slim companion for the Advent season, but it packs a lot into its short readings. It follows the patriarchs, the prophets, John the Baptist and Mary through the season and expounds on what waiting looked like for each of them. And it was especially thought-provoking in a year when, more than usual, I felt the tension of the now and not-yet of the Kingdom of God.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book structurally is well organized around the biblical stories of Advent symbolized by the four candles of the Advent wreath. The first chapter is an excellent theological and spiritual reflection on waiting. The chapters that follow provide solid exposition on biblical texts but rarely take us very deep into spiritual or personal understanding.

[G L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best Advent devotional/study guide I have used. It has the reader look at Scripture, which I like, and offers a short refection on what the passage says about the Biblical character, how that connects to Advent, and how it relates to a believer today.

It is very insightful, biblically grounded, and devotional

[Jordan Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book 5 stars for the introduction, 3.5 stars for the remainder of the book. I would love for Gooder to expand the portion of her introduction that discusses the non-lineal nature of Christian history into its own book.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far, I'm really enjoying this thought-provoking book about Advent.

[Bobby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good tries to hit on the deep aspects of the Advent while still keeping this in a devotional format. Overall, she succeeds in most chapters with challenging perspectives and prompts.

[Kj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will return to this book for another reading in another advent season. Very good - thought provoking and wise.

[Nancy Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and well written -- with daily reflections for the four weeks of
Advent. Many wonderful insights!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advent books tend to be pretty hit or miss but this is definitely a hit. The books is structured after the advent wreath and can be read over four weeks, as we wait together.

[Barbara J · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful reflective book for Advent.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to waiting throughout the season.

[Jacquelin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very intellectual study, which is fine, except when you are looking for a personal reflection for Advent.

[Fr. Thomas Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used it for a 5-week Advent study in my parish. Good scholarship and application. I would use Paula Gooder again in a heartbeat.

2nd time read and used.