Story by John Bonney of Springfield, Oregon USA
[God’s] mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before [God]...[God] knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold. [God] embraced [the] chosen child, Israel;...remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
Based on the Advent Devotion for Families and Households available at https://account-media.s3.amazonaws.com/26072/uploaded/h/0e18630581_1729692500_hope-is-near-advent-2024-23102024.pdf
Open: Light a candle or ring a chime.
Ask: Take a few minutes and ask yourself, “When did I feel hope today or yesterday?”
Listen: There is an immensely unthinkable, unimaginable Presence out there. It is that creative presence that “says” because it is always present tense, because Presence is present. It is said into the emptiness of that space within which we now reside, “Produce, give forth, bring out that which can be, express the possible and the impossible. Let the galaxies explode into glorious might and let the stars shine. Let the planets come into this-ness, and let the brilliance of what is and what can express itself to shine forth the glory of creation.”
Creator presence is not the beginning and the end. It is the beginning. There is no end. All that is will eventually be subsumed into the primordial whole to be regenerated and have meaning and placement again. There will be life in its own form. There will be music and song for those who relate to music and song. There will be beauty and color and brilliance. How can one not appreciate the bird roosting or in flight, or the silvery fish of the waters, or the delicacy of the flying insect? How can one not be reduced to one’s knees in wonder at the perfected life of a newborn child?
There is only to sing “Gloria.” There is only to imagine “Gloria te Deum in the highest!” How can one not sing the Te Deum? How can one not feel “Gloria in the highest”? You will be redefined and you will express once more as a miracle of being, a miracle of the expression of the creative presence. There is only to imagine “Gloria te Deum in the highest!” Yes, Creating Presence.
Breathe
The season of Advent reminds us that even as we wait for the birth of Christ in our lives and world, God is always with us. Right here, right now– wherever we are and with the ones we love. Take a deep breath and breathe in the presence of God.
Respond
How can you bring hope to others today?
Christ-in-You Prayer
Tell a friend or family member how you see Christ in them. Ex. “I see Christ in your kindness. I see Christ in your smile. I see Christ in you when you help me with my homework.”
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.