advent: the gift of presence
It can sneak up on us, can’t it?
As we flip our calendars over one last time in this year of 2020, memories from December’s past flood in. The “once a year” festivities and events, gathering with friends and family, Christmas baking, early morning shopping, late night present wrapping, and other family traditions that have become a welcomed part of the month.
Advent season ushers in many opportunities to reflect on our reason for celebrating: the birth and gift of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
This month also grants fresh opportunities to reconnect with family and friends, maybe in more creative ways this year. It can be an exciting time as we pull away from the routine of typical, everyday life.
At times, our overflowing calendars can also leave us frazzled, tired, stressed, possibly even robbed of joy and peace. As a result, we can become easily frustrated or short fused with our children, spouse, friends or other family members.
Have you ever found yourself in this place at times? I have.
Is there a way we can walk this month in a state of peace and joy regardless of how full our calendars are?
“They (shepherds) hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:16-20 CSB)
Can you imagine?
In the midst of just having given birth in a stable, then hosting company (the shepherds)—in the midst of all that “busyness”…Mary pondered.[1]
Scripture beautifully articulates that she treasured these things in her heart and meditated on them.[2]
Is this possible today?
What about our days that are busy, packed and even scattered, running here and there? Is there a way for us to remain in a restful state of peace and full presence despite what is going on around us?
Perhaps Mary’s ability to “ponder“ was a gift from God…a grace…a result of an abiding relationship with him?[3]
Can’t it seem the busier seasons of life can quickly squeeze out or diminish our time to be still in the presence of Jesus, to sit at his feet, communing with him in prayer, opening the word and allowing it to speak to our hearts?[4,5,6]
Perhaps carving out this time is more important than we realize…what does this mean for us at our soul-level?
Jesus presence refreshes
He gives joy and grants peace; seasons of refreshment comes from his presence.[7] He has told us that we will have trouble in this world, but to take heart because he has overcome this world![8].
“You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.” (Psalm 16:11 CSB)
Isn’t it amazing how time in the word and prayer can refresh and renew our hearts?
We find ourselves being able to walk back into our roles as a spouse, parent, or friend refreshed with a renewed filling of his Spirit.
Jesus presence refocuses
Culture, social media, television and other outlets constantly bombard us throughout our days. Sitting under the word allows our minds to be turned back to him, renewed in his truth and perspective.[9] This grants us the ability to more clearly recognize the false narrative the world sends our way and counter it with truth from his word.
Our Savior gently and lovingly redirects our eyes back to him.
Jesus presence enables
What grace floods over us as we remember it is not because of us or our ability!
Growing in godliness as a spouse, parenting in a gospel-centered manner, being an encouraging friend—it all comes from him! It is a direct overflow from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives! How freeing this can be from all our “doing” and “striving” in our own strength.[10]
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 CSB)
As we come to learn to rely upon him, he naturally grows our dependency upon himself. As we become more dependent, he increases our frequency of running back to him again and again.
This is where the Lord beautifully transforms us into the likeness of his son, Jesus![11] What glorious truth!
“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.” (2 Peter 1:3-4 CSB)
Friends, as we start out this December, may we be encouraged by the gift of his presence in our lives and how it can change us! May we find time to sit at his feet, listen to him speak to us through his word and prayer. Oh, the gifts that pour forth from this time with him: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.[12]
May this advent season be a wonderful time of reflection upon Jesus and reconnection with our families. I am praying that the Lord would tenderly meet and encourage your heart today as we intentionally strive to enter into his presence through the word and prayer. Merry Christmas and many blessings!
References:
[1] Luke 2:11
[2] Luke 2:19
[3] Luke 1:30, Luke 1:38, Luke 1:46-55
[4] Luke 10:38-42
[5] Psalm 23
[6] Isaiah 55:11
[7] Rom. 15:13, Acts 3:19-20a
[8] John 16:33
[9] Rom. 12:2
[10] 2 Cor. 12:9-11
[11] 2 Cor. 3:18
[12] Gal. 5:22-23
