God is Present With Us
Advent is often filled with worry and anxiety about creating the “perfect Christmas” and finding
the perfect Christmas gifts. But beyond the wrappings and bows lies an emptiness, a loneliness.
The statistics on despair right now are sobering, much less the personal experience you or your
loved ones may have with this “phenomenon” we are experiencing. Deep down we want
people in our lives to know they are special and that we love them.
When we talk out loud about it, when we realize we are not alone, and when we search for the
intersections of our faith narrative, transformation is possible. Our spiritual ancestors were also
worried — often about survival in the midst of political occupation. And the response of the
scriptures is “the Holy Living One is with you.” Like a shepherd who never leaves the flock, we
are held close.
During December, during Advent and Christmas this year, we will be participating in another
worship series, “The Gift of Being Present.” Based on the book, Right Here, Right Now, by Amy
Ogden, we will be exploring Christian mindfulness and the gift of presence for our loved ones,
for our communities, for those who need it most.
As we put what we learn into practice outside of worship, we will become more “present” to
others, helping to dispel loneliness, emptiness, and despair. We will discover that our own
presence is a gift, a “present” to others — and this is better than any gift money can buy.
Thomas Keating, author of Open Mind, Open Heart, wrote about God’s presence:
“This Presence is so immense, yet so humble; awe-inspiring yet so gentle; limitless, yet so
intimate, tender, and personal. I know that I am known. Everything in my life is transparent
in this Presence. It knows everything about me — all my weaknesses, brokenness, sinfulness
— and still loves me infinitely. This Presence is healing, strengthening, refreshing — just by its
Presence. It is nonjudgmental, self-giving, seeking no reward, boundless in compassion. It is
like coming home to a place I should never have left, to an awareness that was somehow
always there, but which I did not recognize.”
In being known by God, blessed by God’s presence with us, we are inspired and empowered to
be a loving, caring presence for others.
Come and be “present” in worship this Advent!