Sunday, December 1, 2013

Dear God,

The first Sunday of Advent, that preparation time leading us to Christmas, always calls the spiritual pilgrim to make ready, to open one's heart, and to examine the contents of one's own inner soul.  And what do we find?

Indeed, what do we find?  Faith, some, little, a lot, or none?  Hope, any?  Love and to what measure?  Do we find grace growing there, compassion, mercy, peace?  Do we find any of the spiritual essentials that keep the body, mind, and soul balanced with what the world says is "wealth"?  What do we discover in the human soul on the first day of Advent?

I think we cannot make an authentic pilgrimage to Christmas without a humbling assessment of the human soul.  In fact, why bother?  If it is gifts we are looking for, now is the time to buy, buy, buy.  All the sales will give us the opportunity to purchase holiday cheer.  But Advent is offering so much more.  In that light, the new clothes, the latest technology, the beautiful jewelry, and all else that dazzles fizzles because surely we want something more living deeply within us.  Perhaps what we find hidden away is the sweet desire of your wondrous spirit that has the capacity to breathe new life into us and why not?  The mystery of faith always gives more and better and beautiful than anything else.

Spirit of the Living God,
fall afresh
on us.
Like new-fallen snow
that sparkles,
rain down
upon us,
make us
pure vessels
ready for
the wondrous journey
that awaits us,
we pray.

Love, Andrea