Photo by Mads Schmidt Rasmussen on Unsplash
Where are you this Advent season, my friend?
God has been asking us this question, where are you?, since the beginning of time,
“They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:8-9 NRSVA)
It’s a beautiful picture, isn’t it? Adam and Eve, created perfectly in the image of the God Who molded and formed them from the dust and mud of the earth, walking in intimate, unbroken communion with their Creator at any time of the day.
Can you hear the breeze rustle the leaves in the trees of the Garden of Eden, feel the coolness of it on your cheek? Can you see the vibrant colors of the sunset as evening fell gently over that sacred place? Can you sense the peace of the presence of God getting closer as He audibly calls out to His creation, “Where are you?”
Then, the earth-shattering tragedy, the darkness that enveloped all that God had called ‘good’, as sin plagued that holy place making it only a foggy reflection of what was. Can you hear His heart break into a million pieces as the reality of separation from His creation settles into Him like a slow rot?
Where are you?
I believe it’s a question that God still asks us today, even right here in the middle of Advent.
Maybe this Advent brings with it its own kind of earth-shattering tragedy; the sting of death or loss, the reminder of someone who was once with you but isn’t anymore. Or maybe this Advent is accompanied by the pain of illness or the heartbreak of a broken relationship. Perhaps it’s an unnamed darkness, a lonely, hollow hole that feels like a deadweight in your soul. And maybe your hands and words feel too heavy to hold up to the Light; your heart doesn’t know which way to turn.
The question of ‘where are you?’ invites us to notice where our feet are. It invites us into honesty and vulnerability; two things that open the door to true connection and communion with the same God who asked this question of Adam and Eve as He walked in the cool of the garden, looking, searching, calling out to His created.
The same God who sent His Son to restore what sin has broken. And because Jesus came and still comes for you today, you can name whatever it is you carry this Advent season in His presence without hesitation, fear, or shame.
You can name it, look down at the reality of where your feet are, and believe in the One who came to have the last word, to give you a new name.
Beloved.
The bite of sin still pricks the skins of our souls, but there’s One Who came to make it all whole again. To give hope again.
That Hope has a Name and His Name is Jesus.
Hope came in the shape and form of a flesh-covered baby — the Son of God made human so He could understand our humanness. He entered into the mess of it all, with the creation that messed it all up. That’s true love.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:6-7)
The One that no room was made available for came to make room for you — all of you, the real you. The you that is human and carries light and dark, joy and pain, loss and victory inside of you.
He came in the night to bring Light to your dark.
He came to be hyssop and honey to a hurting world.
peace be with you,
celia
A Place to Ponder
Where are you this Advent season? Take some time in the coming week to name all that you carry and take notice of where your feet are.
A Blessing for Suffering
Over the last year, I have found it extremely life-giving to borrow words or prayers, or blessings from others. I’m doing that here, sharing with you borrowed words from John O’Donohue’s To Bless the Space Between Us in an effort to give language to the longings within ourselves. I pray they bless you and keep you.
May you know serenity When you are called To enter the house of suffering. May a window of light always surprise you. May memory bless and protect you With the hard-earned light of past travail; To remind you that you have survived before And though the darkness now is deep, You will soon see approaching light. May the grace of time heal your wounds. May you know that though the storm might rage, Not a hair of your head will be harmed.
Advent Resources
This week on the blog, I shared what it might look like to live an embodied faith this Advent season. Listen or read here: Living an Embodied Faith This Advent Season
Every Moment Holy is an organization that provides prayers and liturgies to the everyday rhythms that form us. They are offering a free downloadable Advent journal with a liturgy writing guide. This might be a life-giving way for you to put words to the things you’re carrying: Every Moment Holy Advent
Kari Bartkus is the founder of Love Does That, a blog and podcast that helps you recognize God’s presence in the midst of your pain. She’s offering a $5 Advent digital resource that gives you access to a guided audio prayer, journaling questions, and a 25-day Scripture writing plan–all designed to help you name your loss, your hurt, and your grief and carry it to Jesus: When Your Silent Night Feels Empty
Ann Voskamp is offering free downloadable sticky notes for your soul this Advent season. You can even print them out and use them sort of like an Advent calendar: Sticky Notes for Your Soul for Advent
Does the Holiday season usually leave you hurried and harried? Are you longing to be hushed by the Holy this Advent season? If so, check out my new Advent devotional, Be Still & Know: Seeking Still Moments in God’s Presence this Advent Season, here: Be Still & Know Advent eBook
You can also grab a pack of Advent-themed breath prayer cards to help draw your heart deeper toward Christ this Advent season: Advent Breath Prayer Cards
I created an Advent Spotify playlist this year that you can listen to as you prepare your heart for Christmas. The overall vibe is very moody, quiet, and indie… you know, the usual: Advent Spotify Playlist