Scripture Reading: Luke 11.37-53 Today's inspiration: Be still, and know. . . I. . .am. . . God. Psalm 46.10

Good Morning.

'Tis the season--have you noticed? This last Sunday was the first Sunday of advent. . . Advent reminds me that it is time to prepare my heart for Jesus. Without doubt, this is my favorite time of year--I love the Reason for this season, but I also enjoy the music, (I've been listening to Christmas music since the day after Halloween!), the colors, the smells, the textures, and the festive decor that warms my home. My favorite decorative item is a Santa, kneeling with his hat in his hand, (exhibiting a lovely bald head), at the foot of the manger, gazing at the baby Jesus. I have it right beneath the lowest bow of my freshly-cut pine tree. Yes, I love this time of year. However, it certainly comes with its hazards, doesn't it? Mostly in the form of excesses. . . too much money spent, too many things to do, too much food consumed, too many presents to buy and then wrap, and on it goes, (did I mention Christmas cards?), especially for women! So, how in the world, can we 'come and adore Him' amidst all of this?

Let me segue to our passage concluding Luke chapter 11--Jesus takes on the Pharisees and the Scribes--boy, does He let them have it! He tells them that while things make look good/right/holy on the outside, their

hearts are far from right--You neglect justice and the love of God. You keep making up rules for My people to labor under, and do nothing to help them love Me more. . .

In a simple, strange way, the behaviors of these people remind me of the hazards of our Christmas season--in doing, they made everything look right on the outside, while it was not. In our Christmas doing, making sure everything is just right, we could fail to 'come and adore Him.' Actually, may I be so bold as to say, most of us won't 'come and adore Him' until maybe at a Christmas church service. . . yeah, most of us will probably miss Him this year. There just isn't time to think about Jesus at Christmas! Someone told me about this website: http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ which has a two-minute YouTube videoclip that is really provocative. (you probably won't have time to look at it, though............ha!) I think it holds the key to preparing our hearts to receive the King--focusing on Presence rather than presents. The familiar words of the psalmist ring in my heart--words from the mouth of God--BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. Be still. . . hmmm, how? what would I do? I don't even know how to stop--in order to be still, I would have to stop. . .

What IF. . . we took a little time out to be still and focus on all that the Son of God's birth means to us? That is the beauty of the Advent season. . . to take a moment (or several) to focus on the Presence of God. So today, I put before you the notion of JOY. Joy is good. . . everybody wants it. . . nothing controversial about that thought, is there? When the heavenly host appeared to the ragtag band of shepherds watching their sheep on the Judean foothills that night, they said, "I bring you good tidings of great JOY that will be for all the people." Huh? Jesus, the Messiah had been born, and rather than the announcement being made to the 'holy' Pharisees, it was shouted to the simple shepherds, bearing out that it was indeed for all people, not just the ones that look good on the outside, or act a certain way. . . how like our God! Joy comes to us at Christmas in the same present Presence - Jesus. We were created to experience joy; joy is different than happiness, because happiness may 'hap' and may not 'hap' depending on circumstances. No, we must choose joy, and in doing so, discover its lasting inner quality. Joy comes through the grace and peace only available through Jesus. The present from the Presence.

During these days before Christmas, why not spend a little time in the Presence of God? Have a personal celebration of Jesus Christ in your life. . . During these moments, why not spend some meaningful time giving others your (full) presence? You could read the Christmas story with your children--Luke 2.1-11; you could have small children retell the story, moving your nativity scene figurines around. . . you could rent The Nativity, a well-done film that does a great job of depicting the familiar story, allowing you to picture Bethlehem and its people--remember even though the Divine came to their town, most missed Him. You could have friends over to play games, while Tony Bennett croons yule tunes in the background. . . get creative. Take some time to be still. . . unhurried, dear ones.

So that you don't miss Him,

Christine