Third Sunday of Advent

James 3:5-8
5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

This week’s Lectionary reading from James has an interesting almost imperceptible connection to the Season of Advent. For Christians the Season of Advent is a season of waiting. Awaiting the light and love of Jesus Christ to come into the world and to walk among us. Here in James I find waiting of a different kind.
My speech has the power to anger, hurt, shame, and discourage. As a Christian I am called to create a space between my emotions and my actions; my emotions and my speech. A space where I am to wait and consider the affects my words and actions will have on others. To discern if my need to vent and lash out is more important than maintaining the dignity of others.
Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit has created this space within me. I confess that I, far too often leap over that space and use speech that harms others. At the time I feel justified. Most of the time I begin to regret my words even before they have left my mouth. If anyone reads this post that has been hurt by my words, please forgive me.
As I move toward this third Sunday of Advent, I will practice waiting in my speech. Waiting and controlling my emotions. Waiting for the Holy Spirit to temper my emotions and give me words that best express my feelings without hurting the feelings of others.