Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
O little town in this big world, center of the universe
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Matthew 1:18-21
This is how the birth of Jesus came about. The angel said to Joseph, “It is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
The story of Advent is the story of Jesus. But Jesus COMING is a hope and dream; Jesus HERE is something else again.
How silently, how silently,
The wondrous Gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
In this season of waiting, all of a sudden the days are not getting shorter, but seconds longer every day. We cross the solstice and Christmas comes rushing in. Still, the dike is not yet broken; there is much to do these last few days. Can I stand it?
All this preparation stirs my spirit. But now my soul recovers a little of its stillness, and the rest that should belong with every day returns, bit by bit. Silence and song find their rhythm. As the crush of Too Much To Do lifts, I notice laughter on my lips, feel a little sparkle in my eyes. There are gifts to give, and to receive. Joy cometh to the world, and it is good.
God’s touch is gentle on my head just now, and I feel my breaths of air go deeper and longer in my lungs. This is very good. God gentles our way into Christmas, and all we have to do is wait for him.
Let me put one foot in front of the other, Lord, and follow you. Your footprints in the snow don’t fade. So much joy there is in how you love everyone you meet, and how you listen to them and know the deeps of their souls. Let me remember how you love these days of Christmas, Lord, and follow you.
Lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/o-little-town-of-bethlehem-lyrics-christmas-carols.html
Song (O Little Town of Bethlehem): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATkPmMWJfos (Story and song begin about 1:20, but the whole thing is wonderful)
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1218
