The Questions of Advent

After Adam and Eve gave into temptation and ate the fruit that God had forbidden them to eat, God is heard walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze. Adam and Eve hid from God's presence. They recognized their sinfulness, felt the shame of their nakedness, and God calls to them and asks, "Where are you?"

Like the first man and the first woman, our appetites for something more than God often leave us naked in our shame. We have yet to learn that our hunger can only be satisfied by divine bread - the one who comes to us as the Bread of Life.

Christ comes into the world in a moment in history. God comes to us. Shepherds and sages search for the Christ. They call out and ask, "Where is he?" Where is the Messiah - the one who comes to rescue us - who comes to make a new way for us?

Where are we? Where are you? The humble seek. The sinful hide. And somewhere in-between God calls out, "Where are you, my child?"

Religion teaches us to search for God as though God is far away but in reality, God is here. God is within us, and it is in the depths of our souls where we will find God - already present, waiting with hands outstretched. God is ready to receive us as we are - naked, sinful, and ashamed.

God is calling for us to give our attention to Advent. This season when love and grace are slowly unfurled. It is a time when our questions and doubts are allowed to be asked. It is a season to search and a season to be found.

Where are you?

Where is God?

Emmanuel.

God is with us.

God With Us

We enter this sacred season of Advent with open hearts to the mystery and wonder of God's love. These days of waiting and longing are holy days. The promise of God is Emmanuel - God is with us. In the hurt and loss, God is with us. In the grief and pain, God is with us. In the anticipation of a new day, God is with us. May you know God with you in this holy season.

Christy Nockel's song, Advent Hymn, is a beautiful anthem for this season. May its words be the prayer of our hearts as we enter this first week of Advent, and may we wait in hope.

Christ whose glory fills the skies

Christ the Everlasting Light

Son of Righteousness arise

And triumph o'er these shades of night

Come Thou long-awaited one

In the fullness of Your Love

And loose this heart bound up by shame

And I will never be the same

So here I wait in hope of You

Oh my soul's longing through and through

Dayspring from on high be near

And daystar in my heart appear

Dark and cheerless is the morn

Until Your love in me is born

And joyless is the evening sun

Until Emmanuel has come

So here I wait in hope of You

Oh my soul's longing through and through

Dayspring from on high be near

And daystar in my heart appear

So here I wait in hope of You

Oh my soul's longing through and through

Dayspring from on high be near

And daystar in my heart appear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNuY6I4OtoE

Listen

Listen to the voice.

Sometimes it comes in whispers that swirl around you

like leaves blowing in the autumn wind.

Sometimes it comes in power and knocks you off balance

like waters swirling in a mighty river.

Either way, it will come,

if you are still enough to listen

Listen to the voice.

It calls for you.

It calls to you.

You can trust its message,

for the message is love,

and the messenger is Love.

The voice is leading you in the way of goodness and truth.

The voice will not fail you or lead you astray.

Sit in stillness.

Open your heart.

Silence your mind,

and wait.

The voice will speak.

Listen.