Monday, December 11, 2006

My dearest God,

I just made a long "to do" list. Calls, letters, revisions, planning, visits, etc. Fifteen days to Christmas and I have five gifts, won't go far with 21 grandchildren, 12 kids and 1 husband. I still don't have a tree. Six boxes of lights still sit by the door waiting to be carried outdoors and placed on the house. The rooms all need to be swept. And I will be gone this weekend.

There is the temptation to become anxious, to kick into gear, rush to get Christmas planned at church and home (I'm doing a better job at church than home), to fly to the malls to buy, buy, buy, and to get caught up in the frenzy of the season. But I'm just not motivated to do it. I'm taking in the sights and sounds of Advent. I am listening for the Voice, one that cries out in silence, speaking in hushed tones to the soul. It is the true voice of Christmas.

Yesterday our worship service was beautiful in a quiet kind of way. Our music was somewhat subdued, reflective, leading us to ponder, to lean toward God. In the lighting of the candles to the harpist playing, I found God walking among us, pleased.

Next Sunday we will add poinsettias to our decor joining our Advent banner, Christmas tree with white lights and doves and Advent candle. The following Sunday, a bale of hay will sit in front of the altar, center stage and in the evening the Holy Family will come, joining us, the focal point of communion. Eyes will be fixed upon this beautiful new baby and in that moment he will be Christ for us.

Christmas will come and 24 hours later it will pass. It will be over. The stores will have their "After Christmas" Sale. Remnants of ornaments, seasonal apparel, and winter clothing will be snatched up. Left over goodies and ham will be eaten. The tree will look a little bedraggled, ribbons and paper trapped underneath the boxed gifts. Millions of filled trash bags will blow in the yard, awaiting pick up. Then the credit card bills will start coming in, some the day after Christmas.

Been there, done that! Not this year. I am savoring every moment of Christmas. I am breathing the air of anticipation as I discover God in the ordinary day. Writing each morning, walking to Christmas music, enjoying the frosty yards and trees on my way to work, praying for church, family and the world, watching the Nursery School children get excited, listening to troubled souls, visiting the sick, offering a piece of joy here and there, talking with people at church, in the stores, and at home, reading my Christmas novel, planning my annual Christmas movie night when I watch my two favorites, "White Christmas" and "It's a Wonderful Life" and deciding which 11:00 p.m. service I will be attending on Christmas Eve, all these fill me with the magic of Christmas. And the mystery captures me along the way.

I am blessed. I have the privilege of creating the setting whereby others will experience the Sacred on Christmas Eve. From liturgy and song to candlelighting and bells, I work with a team to prepare for the coming of Christ. We will attend to every detail. And people will come, drawn to the church, awaiting the Promised One. And when we least expect it, God will visit each one.
God will enter each heart, open to his arrival.

A pastor, serene in her own experience of the Savior, will have much more to offer than a harried one who can't wait for Christmas to pass. Emmanuel, God is with us, with me.

Loving God,
the season of Christmas
is intended
to transform the heart,
not empty the pocketbook
and fill the household
with unneeded gifts.
We are meant,
designed to meet God,
on the holiest day of the year.
But not only that,
we can meet God
each day of the season,
taking in the scenes
of his love,
captured by signs
of his peace,
filled with the joy
of his presence.
Lord Jesus, come.

Forever yours, Andrea