The Christmas holidays are a very busy time, but a noisy time. We seem to be rushing too much!
What we need this season is not more invitations or events to attend. We are tired of having to run so much.
What we need is to be recaptured by the sense of wonder and awe.
Now, wonder and awe are not something that is easy to put into words. You live, you experience and your breath wonder. You are in the presence of a reality that is much larger than yourself. Your mouth drops open. There are no words that can come out. You are awed struck, silent and every so appreciative.
In Saskatchewan, if you wait long enough with your cup of morning coffee, you can experience the beautiful sunrise. The winter sunrises can be so beautiful, so overpowering – but there are no words to express how awed you feel in the presence of such beauty. It comes so quietly, daily, that you wonder how come your miss this moment of beauty at the beginning of this winter’s day.
Your neighbor hits the ditch on a patch of black ice. Her vehicle is almost buried in the deep ditch snow. Along comes a farmer (you only catch his name as Keith) . He stops. Picks you up and drives you to the toe-truck operator. He refused any compensation for his efforts . And then he drives off, unknown, except for his black pick-up truck.
What generosity! What kindness!
Now, come before the Christmas crib in your local church or school. Stand before the difficult story of the birth of this child in Bethlehem. This is God chosing to come among us and bring us healing and forgiveness. This is the great outpouring of the very heart of God; a heart of mercy, compassion and healing.
And remember that God comes among us when we humans are bombing the working poor in the Ukraine; blocking food distribution in Gaza and displacing thousands of innocent families in the Sudan. Why would God care about such evil people, such heartless people? Be awed by the pain and struggles within the heart of God over these unbelieveable atrocities.
Stand before the Christmas crib and allow all that God is doing among human beings. Be attentive to how God is moving human hearts to greater compassion, and healing and love for the stranger.
The sense of wonder can only be lived, beathed and experienced. It is very difficult to put into words – but it is so real in your body and your soul.
Now, how does God want to move you when you stand before the Christmas crib?
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