Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas, “Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting—that is, of hopefully doing without—will never experience the full blessing of fulfillment.” So true. Advent, which ended last night, is all about waiting. Not only does Advent entail waiting for Jesus’ birth, which we celebrate today. It is also about the second Advent, when Jesus comes again. Such waiting is “austere,” that is, severe and harsh. But it does not lead the faithful to despair, but to energizing comfort and joy.