It’s been a long week or two for all of us. We’ve been changed by everything that we have seen and heard and felt. For most of us, we are wondering what each day will bring and what will be asked of us in response. This week I am taking up a challenge that I invite you into as well. I am going to listen more than I speak. Listen more than I react. Listen more before I pray.
I tried to get ahead last week and wrote my blog early…too early. As events unfolded this past week I realized that what I wanted to share was not going to be what we need this week. I am as stunned as everyone and sad and worried and wondering. When that happens to me I know I need to be in prayer longer, listen more deeply and do some self reflection.
Maybe your family is like mine - we had a lovely nativity set growing up - my dad had made the structure and the pieces were beautiful - but we played with it - a lot. I know that my Barbie dolls made frequent visits to the scene. I am not sure how that all went down, but it seemed to work. Maybe they just visited - or dressed up Mary more modern like, who knows? I do know that I really loved the three kings.
I was out for a walk today and noticed that people have been busy decorating their homes for Christmas. There were inflatables, nativity sets, snowmen, sleds, candy canes and lights galore. I love it. I don’t do it, but I love that someone loves to do this. The twinkling lights can’t help but make us happy.
Advent is such a rich season in the church with feast days, and traditions along with anticipation for Christmas. While most years we’d wait to decorate and get the tree, trying to grow that lovely anticipation and keep seasons distanced from each other - this year is a bust.
This week has so many of us feeling a bit lost. It should be a week of cleaning and cooking, planning and preparing on a larger scale than usual. But most of us will be at home, with our usual people, weathering the storm of Covid - zooming away with family far and wide. It’s not what we thought we’d be doing this year, but here we are.
