In the midst of the busyness of this time of year, into the rush of preparations, nativity plays and carol services I caught a glimpse of God yesterday. That glimpse was not in the tinsel adorned angels of the tots of the school play, nor was it in the beautiful singing from the choir this morning, though he was surely in all of those.
The glimpse of God was a holy moment and it brought tears to my eyes. One of our regulars at the Comfort Zone Drop in ( see post below) is a big lady, very gruff and rough around the edges, and not averse to telling people what she thinks of them and where she thinks they should go. Yesterday in the church that is almost ready for Christmas she was upset, something was wrong and out of place and she wanted it put right. The doll representing Jesus was lying on a chair instead of being in the manger, and it was not right, no amount of pointing out that this was a doll made any difference to her, she wanted that baby to be in the manger where he belonged.
Refusing to rest until things were "sorted" she gently lifted the doll from the chair, wrapping it tenderly in a blanket and carried it softly to the manger. She lovingly laid the doll down and closed its eyes, gazed at it for a brief moment, then satisfied walked away. In that moment God was with us, not in the doll, but in the woman carrying the child, bringing him home and making things "right". I am more and more convinced that God is in the slow process of bringing us all home, there are signs of that all around if we dare to see them. Immanuel is present all around us and within us, Immanuel calling us to respond to the still small voice, to notice the little things and to enter into his rhythm rather than our own, his invitation is open even now...
Come to me, get away with me and you will recover your life.... ( Matthew 11: 29 The Message)
May you be blessed with many holy moments this Christmas time.
