In the 1960s, a simple yet profound experiment was conducted at Stanford University, known today as the Marshmallow Test.  Children were placed in a room with a marshmallow placed before them and given a choice:  eat this one now, or wait a while and receive two. This test, seemingly about marshmallows, delved into the depths of human nature, exploring the concepts of delayed gratification and self-control.  The results were as varied as they were insightful. Some children, driven by the urge for immediate satisfaction, quickly grabbed the marshmallow.  Others, wrestling with the temptation, found creative ways to distract themselves, focusing on the greater reward promised for their patience.  The real genius of the study though, was what happened afterwards.  Follow-up studies showed a correlation between the ability to wait and future success in life.  This test, in its essence, holds a mirror to our daily struggles, the constant battle between the immediate and the enduring, the fleeting and the everlasting.

As followers of Christ, we find ourselves in a similar test. Our faith journey is marked by moments where the immediate often seems more appealing than the promise of something greater, something eternal.  The Marshmallow Test isn’t just about patience; it’s a reflection of our spiritual journey.  The Bible, in its wisdom, speaks often of waiting, of the fruits that come from patience, and the blessings of those who trust in God’s timing.  In Romans 13:11-14, Paul writes, “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."  Here, Paul is not merely speaking about physical sleep but a spiritual awakening, an urging to rise above our immediate desires and distractions, to see the dawn of Christ’s light in our lives.  This scripture is a call to spiritual awakening, to an awareness that transcends the immediacy of our worldly desires and leads us towards a deeper, more meaningful existence in Christ.  It reminds us that the true rewards of our faith are not found in the transient pleasures of the now but in the eternal joys of God’s kingdom.

As we embark on this journey through Advent, let us embrace this lesson of the Marshmallow Test.  Let us learn to wait, not with a sense of burden, but with a heart full of anticipation.  For in this waiting, in this period of spiritual preparation, lies the gift of awakening – an awakening to the true essence of Christ’s presence in our lives, an awakening to the hope, peace, joy, and love that He brings.  In the upcoming sections, we will explore Biblical and contemporary examples of this truth, delving deeper into the beauty and power of waiting in faith and the profound awakening that it brings.  Let us open our hearts to this journey, to the lessons it holds, and to the transformative power of God’s eternal promise.

Our journey today is anchored in the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans, a passage that resonates deeply with the theme of our sermon.  Paul writes:  "And do this, understanding the present time:  the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.  So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.  Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."  In these verses, Paul encapsulates a profound spiritual truth: the urgency of awakening from spiritual lethargy.  He speaks not of a physical waking but of a spiritual one, where our salvation – the ultimate reward of our faith – beckons us closer than ever before.  The imagery of night turning into day serves as a powerful metaphor for the transition from a life lived in spiritual unconsciousness to one illuminated by the light of Christ.

To further reinforce this message, let us reflect upon Isaiah 40:31, which offers a beautiful promise to those who wait upon the Lord:  "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." This scripture speaks to the rejuvenation and strength found in patient trust in God's timing.

Similarly, in James 5:7-8, we find a call to patience and steadfastness:  "Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."  Here, James uses the analogy of a farmer patiently waiting for the harvest, reminding us of the virtue and reward of steadfast waiting.

Together, these scriptures form a tapestry of truth, urging us towards spiritual vigilance, patience, and trust in God's timing. They invite us to embrace the Advent season not just as a time of waiting but as an opportunity for a profound spiritual awakening, a shift from slumber to the fullness of life in Christ.  Our exploration takes us back to the Old Testament, to the story of Joseph, a narrative that remarkably mirrors the Marshmallow Test in a Biblical context.  Joseph's journey begins with dreams - visions of future greatness where sheaves of grain and celestial bodies bow to him.  These dreams, found in Genesis 37, were not mere nighttime fantasies but divine revelations of what was to come. Yet, before the fulfillment of these dreams, Joseph faced profound trials.  His brothers, fueled by jealousy, sold him into slavery, leading him to Egypt - far from the destiny he had envisioned.  In Egypt, as a servant in Potiphar’s house, Joseph encountered temptation.  Potiphar's wife, captivated by Joseph, persistently sought to seduce him.  Here, Joseph faced his 'marshmallow test.'  He could have succumbed to immediate gratification, but he chose integrity instead.  Genesis 39:9 records his resolve, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"  Joseph's refusal led to false accusations and imprisonment - a seemingly unfair reward for his righteousness.