Wii Wii, Monsieur?

My son Samuel began thinking about his Christmas wish list about a month ago. At the top of a very short list was a drum set. His dad and I agreed, though we feared it would be a passing phase, hoping to encourage a love of music that has blossomed since starting middle school band. We spent some time on the Internet researching brands and checking prices until Samuel finally found the set he wanted. And then yesterday, he changed his mind. He didn't want a drum set anymore. It seems he had his heart set on something else.


Eighteen days before Christmas, Samuel decided that he wanted a Wii. We assured him that if that was what he wanted, it would be about the only gift under the tree, much like the drum set he once dreamed about. So, this morning I went searching for a Wii. I made my way to Best Buy, having learned that they truly did have the best price on the Wii Samuel had chosen. But there was a problem...it seemed that everyone else wants the flashy video game system, too.

And so I went to Toys R Us. Uh, oh. And then I drove a block to Target. Nope. And then went across the street to Circuit City. Oh, no. My last stop was at Wal-Mart. Houston, we have a problem! None of the stores had a Wii on their shelves. Online sellers are also out of stock, and the outlook of securing one before Christmas looks rather bleak. And now, all I have to say about my shopping experience today is:

This little piggy went to market,
this little piggy stayed at home.
This little piggy had roast beef,
this little piggy had none.
And this little piggy cried
"Wii, wii, wii!" all the way home.

When I told Samuel he may not get a Wii for Christmas, he said, "That's okay. I can wait." And I was reminded of this season of Advent, a time of waiting, a time of seeking, a time of standing with the little drummer boy, looking for the one who comes to us - Emmanuel, God with us.

(Image sources: http://www.drumkit.biz/images/store/mf/small/MF_444094.gif and http://images.secure2u.com/203/Proc/Full/1809489.jpg)