Less than a week until Christmas and I find it difficult to shush my mind from a million thoughts ricocheting in my brain-writing projects, decorating for Christmas, kids coming home, shopping, church activities, dealing with shingles (yes and ugh!)…
…but aren’t we supposed to be preparing our hearts for Jesus now?
…aren’t we supposed to be seeking peace?
…isn’t Advent all about quieting our minds and drawing near to the Lord?
Not so easy to be silent and still, though, especially during the busiest time of the year.
But, we should. Even if only a moment here and there. We need to carve out quiet time, be still, slow down, come into His presence and just be quiet.
No thinking.
No worrying.
Just sitting at His feet.
Jesus came in the night, in the darkness…and when He did, Light came into the world.
But now…
…we wait in the darkness, in the quietness, in hopefulness.
…until Love comes. And renewal and peace enters our hearts.
This last week of Christmas, let’s find some time for silence…to prepare for the Light, for the Lord!
“Could but my soul become a silent night, God would be born in me and set all things aright.” – 15th Century
The Bible tells us we should be silent.
“But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20)
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)
“[Elijah] went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him… a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:9, 12).
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)
In the still, silent, darkness…the Lord comes…and Peace enters our hearts.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
Here’s a little Elvis Silent Night…
Round yon virgin Mother and Child,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Glories stream from heaven afar, heavenly hosts sing
Alleluia.
Christ the Saviour is born.
Son of God, love’s pure light,
Radiant beams from
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King.
Christ the Saviour is born.