The world in silent stillness lay...

It's quiet in my house right now, which is unusual because it is 2:30 in the afternoon. Both girls are napping at the same time, a rare treat these days. I've cleaned up the kitchen, done a load of laundry and fussed with a few Christmas decorations. But I've also tried to enjoy the silence. And listen.

A wise friend posted this Eugene Peterson quote on his facebook page:

"I don't see any way out of it: if we are going to live appropriately in the creation, we must keep the Sabbath. We must stop running around long enough to see what God has done and what God is doing. We must shut up long enough to see what God has said and is saying. All our ancestors agree that without silence and stillness there is no spirituality, no God-attentive, God-responsive life."

I needed this today. I've needed it for a while. I love advent for the quiet mystery of it all. Or what is supposed to be quiet mystery. But as I've tried to prepare my heart for the coming of the King this Christmas season, I've been having a hard time even preparing for the preparation. I've literally been looking at my calendar, trying to find a chunk of time to sit and ponder the wonder of the Word made flesh. I'll admit, I felt discouraged with the lack of true "silence & stillness" this advent seems to be offering. Lots of meetings, musicals, choir concerts, a wedding in which I am singing, even a few well-intended church activities designed to help us ponder the season. But silence? I'm trying to pencil it in between seeing Santa and baking cookies.

Thankfully, our God provides. In this case, the provision was an empty afternoon and two sleepy girls. And inspiration from another who desires to seek Christ in the silence this season. In fact, after I read that quote, I found something else. Another friend posted this link to "Following the Star." I clicked over for the beautiful Christmas music, but was delighted to find an advent devotion.

Today's topic? Silence. It seems to be more desired than one would first think.

With all the "holiday hustle & bustle," all of the bargains of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, all of the television specials, parties, concerts, well-meaning events, etc. we're desperately trying to "make the season bright." We're expecting so much of ourselves, and so much of Christmas. So much that we can only be disappointed, either when it isn't just like a greeting card, or when it is and then it is over for another year.

What if what we're looking for is really the silence? The stillness? The sense of God's presence that doesn't command our attention like the rest of the distractions of the season, but rather waits on us to sit. To listen.

And what if all that we do to fill the void is actually making it deeper? What if everything we do to ease the ache is actually making it more painful?

And what if we prepare our homes and our gifts for holiday celebrations, but not our hearts for the Foundation of all celebration, at Christmas and always?

What if we anticipate Christmas without taking the time to wait in expectation on the Christ child?

I am thankful for a few moments to reflect (ironically on the need to reflect) and listen to the voice. It has been too long. I couldn't sit still for more than just a little while. The Voice was harder to hear than it used to be.

But God met me here.

In the silence.