• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
In a busy and frenzied season leading up to Christmas, it's easy to complain and be judgmental. Father Collin Poston urges patience and kindness.

Finding patience in Advent

December 15, 2019
By Father J. Collin Poston
Filed Under: Advent, Commentary, Dust and Dewfall

“Be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains… be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain… about one another, that you may not be judged. Take as an example of hardship and patience… the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” – James 5:7-10

 As you know well, one of the spiritual lessons of the season of Advent is patience. We recall in salvation history how many centuries ago our forefathers, our brothers and sisters in the faith, long awaited a Messiah, a Christ, a Redeemer, a “Deliverer” from the oppression of the world and of the devil, and of the political powers that often unjustly crushed their hope and spirits.

The prophets, including Isaiah, countered this oppression with words of courage, hope and impending victory: “Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication, with divine recompense he comes to save you!” (Is. 35: 1-6, 10.) Most of the ones who heard these words never saw the Christ, but they still patiently believed with an ardent faith and a confident hope.

On a practical note, as we approach Christmas Day that is merely 10 days away we will likely find many opportunities to be patient with one another. What happens when we become impatient? St. James tells us: we tend to complain, especially about one another. He even warns that we may be judged upon our words.

When we complain about another, we often take a position of judgment. Yet only God is the ultimate judge, our Christ. We can be tempted to complain and judge all the time, whether driving in rush hour traffic, waiting in a long line at the supermarket, during Christmas shopping, fighting frustration in a stressful family or home situation, or in a challenging workplace or at school. The antidote is twofold.

First, show kindness in return. When we are tempted to use our tongue for cursing, bless with it instead. Take a deep breath, say a little prayer and give a “God bless you.”

Second, show gratitude. The more we reflect on our blessings – how indeed we are blessed in so many ways, many times over – it increases our gratitude and  makes kindness so much easier.

May God bless you with the graces of Advent patience, kindness, gratitude, courage, hope and peace.

For more on Advent in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, click here.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Father J. Collin Poston

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Thérèse of Lisieux: 100 Years of Light

Christ at the center

Pope Leo smiles as he speaks into a microphone

The pope is speaking my language

Question Corner: Does a married person need their marriage blessed or ‘convalidated’ once they become Catholic?

Forcing clergy to break the seal of confession harms victims

| Recent Local News |

Deacon Thomas O’Donnell of Catonsville experiences power of papal transition in Rome

Radio Interview: Grow in your relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary

Dinners build camaraderie for parishioners in Western Maryland

Pope’s inauguration Mass is sign of unity for whole church, Archbishop Lori says

Western Maryland parishes hit by devastating floodwaters

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Deacon Thomas O’Donnell of Catonsville experiences power of papal transition in Rome
  • CRS rallies advocates, lawmakers against proposed long-term cuts to foreign aid
  • Broglio: As successor of Peter, pope confirms us ‘in faith,’ calls us ‘back to the Gospel’
  • USCIRF praises Pope Leo XIV for continuing Vatican’s international religious freedom work
  • Pope names new chancellor of institute for marriage, family sciences
  • Thérèse of Lisieux: 100 Years of Light
  • Trump names three U.S. bishops, priest to religious liberty commission advisory board
  • Movie Review: ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’
  • Pope reaffirms commitment to ecumenical, interreligious dialogue

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED