Shhhh! It’s Coming!
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According to the dictionary, advent means:
- a coming into place, view, or being; arrival
- the coming of Christ into the world.
- the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas
Looking ahead over the next four weeks, the so-called Advent season, what do you see coming? It’s so easy to get swept up in the “what” – the seemingly endless tornado of cooking, decorating, shopping, wrapping, partying – that we miss the “Who”.
The screaming of commercial advertising, social engagements, to-do lists, all conspire to mask what Advent is really about – the coming of the Lord from heaven to earth to save His people.
We have to shhhh the screaming to be sensitive to hear the still small voice.
Now I’m not talking about silence. Not about a Silent Night. Not about two black silhouettes making their quiet way to Bethlehem. Of course I wasn’t there 😉 but I don’t think that the journey to Bethlehem or the birth in the stable were quiet at all.
Surely Joseph traveled to his ancestral home with his extended family. They all had to register for the census, and it would have been dangerous for Joseph and Mary to journey alone from Nazareth. Certainly Bethlehem, city of David, was bustling with the travelers who filled up all the rooms at the inn. Likely the stable was crowded with the travelers’ animals – noisy beasts who ate the hay from the manger where Mary laid her baby.
Despite the clamor, from the conception to delivery to dedication, Mary and Joseph heard the voice of the Lord, leading and comforting them, as if they lived within the peaceful eye of the hurricane swirling around them.
Over the next month, can we do the same? Can we shhhh the distractions around us to sense the presence of God in the center of our storm?
I think we can.
One December day a few years ago, amid a frenzied supermarket crowd, the Muzak wafting through the store pierced my consciousness:
“God and sinner reconciled, ….
Hark the herald angels sing….”
I stood there like a statue, left hand on cart, right arm raised, hand poised to grab a box of cereal from the shelf. My spirit lifted as I sensed a holy presence. It seemed the crowd around me shhhh’d as I thanked God for reconciling me, the sinner, to Him.
That moment was accidental on my part. Since then, I try to be more intentional to shhhh that which is not of Him and be more sensitive to holy moments, especially during Advent, the celebration of His coming. Will you be intentional with me? I guarantee you’ll be blessed if you do!
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Thank you Susan for the reminder to truly reflect on the reason for the season. I will be intentional to shhhh the noise this advent season.
I love the shhhh moments that are laced throughout the season…a quiet concert, baking alone in the kitchen, sitting in the living room relishing the beauty of our tree, moments of remembering happy times and those who are no longer with us, the times when it just hits us. Jesus is alive!!
Iris, we’ll be intentional together ;D
Elise, I love when those little moments sneak into my consciousness bringing me ever closer to the One whom we celebrate.
Ooo…I love the shhhh!!! Wonderful post! I’m intentionally listening in expectation. I wonder what He’ll say…
Awe inspiring post.
I am with you…I will intentionally shhh the distractions and try harder to focus on Him.
What a wonderful suggestion, Susan…it’s something that I was already doing without realizing it, but now I will be even more aware…and share the idea with others…time to start a national campaign for SHHHHHHH !!!! Who’s on board???!!!!
Lynn – Yes, listening WITH EXPECTATION leads to wonder! Lovely thought!
Denise – Thanks for sharing. May you be blessed with His peace in the midst of the tumult!
Charlotte – As you shift your focus, may you sense His presence in greater measure.
Denise Gayle – You’d be the perfect one to start a movement!
Blessings to all. May you have a glorious Advent as you anticipate His coming!
Susan
I try to be conscious of Him in the small things…the lovely lights in my home, on the lamp posts, in the coffee shop, etc. In the green of the tree, reminding me of the life I have in Him. In the music…
When we slow down and look on purpose, we find that He’s everywhere.
Oh, Susan, what a great thought!
Those special moments come during my prayer/devotional times. I’m actually doing research for a Resurrection Day piece, and it keeps me focused on the reason Jesus came.