My friend Chuck Bugg challenges us, “Don’t rush to Bethlehem. Listen for the angels. Watch for the extraordinary. Refuse to fear.”
Don’t rush to Bethlehem or to Crabtree Valley Mall or to the next Christmas party or the next Amazon package waiting on your front porch.
DON’T RUSH!!!
So let me add a word to your Advent vocabulary. PONDER—I’ve often said that for me it just may be the most important word snuggled in all the more familiar words of the Christmas story. Remember what Luke 2 says—“And Mary pondered all these things in her heart.” It takes being still, it takes expectation that something divine is taking place, it takes a condition of the heart that is open to surprises and divine gifts and glory from on high.
But most of all it takes being still…..which is not exactly our typical default action in the rush and stress of the Christmas season. But if you were quiet for a few minutes today what would you hear? The good news of Christmas, the reminder that the baby who came long ago continues to come even now to change our world and to bring healing and salvation to all.
So ponder….ponder…ponder. What sings in your soul as you do.
Brave Journey, Bill
