Here we are in Advent, a season of waiting. We wait for peace, comfort, joy, and the kingdom of heaven to be on Earth. The songs we sing this time of year celebrate the coming of Christ and in them, we acknowledge the pain we experience as we continue to live in this imperfect realm. We are the weary world, in the middle of a bleak time of year and bleak time of history. And as we recognize our pains, our fallen state, and our need for Christ, we can rejoice all the more at His arrival.

Here He comes, our long-expected Jesus! He is our wonderful counselor. Truly, He is the perfect counselor. He gives direction and wisdom, informing how we live. We love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and we love our neighbor as ourselves, as He did and He taught us. We pray together, as the eternal Body of Christ, the prayer that He taught us. We share the same meal, with all saints of all times and all places, when we commune together, sharing the blood and body of Christ.

As our counselor, Jesus offers peace, hope, and truth. When we feel overwhelmed by the world, when we are surrounded by pain, when we feel lost, it is Jesus who offers a light yolk for us. His promise of an eternal life, His salvific work, centers and comforts us. We might get distracted from Him, forgetting our calling to humility, patience, and love. He reminds us that His ways are not the world’s. He does not give as the world does. He gives mercifully, gently, and perfectly.

Finally, as our counselor, He goes with us. We are never alone, no matter what we face. We can continue through difficulty, as He sees and knows our trials. We can cry, knowing He counts and keeps our tears in His bottle. We can cherish the beautiful and good, knowing He created and loves the beautiful and good. 

Come, thou long expected Jesus, bring us the thrill of hope and the promise of life. Be our wonderful counselor and let us seek you in all our thoughts, words, and deeds.