Bethlehem Bound part 3

 

This week, I’ve been inviting you to prepare your heart for the beginning of Advent this coming Sunday.  You’ve had a chance to reflect on what you are longing for and what you are carrying in the backpack of your life.  Pause to ponder what is growing within you right now ~ could be a dream or a desire or a prayer or a possibility ~ we can be pregnant in many ways.  Yesterday, you unpacked your backpack to think about what you are carrying before you start the path and are Bethlehem-bound.  Were there things in your backpack you’d forgotten about?  Were there things you needed to recycle before heading to the stable? 

 

Today, if you had to select one word right now to describe what is in your heart, soul, mind, and life, what might that word be?

 

Do you sense excitement or exhaustion?

Do you feel hope or are you hanging on by a thread?

Do you long for possibility, or is there too much pain?

 

Of course, only having one word to describe the beautiful complexity that is you can be an exercise in frustration.  We are multitudes; many words roam around within us.  Many words want to take up residence or pitch a tent in our minds, refusing to leave.  Maybe you need more than one word.  You could fill up a page trying to express all that is swirling in you. 

 

Now, is there a word you long to let loose in your life that might guide you to Bethlehem?  Is there one word like a star that you can follow to the stable?

 

Here is a short list of possible words you can choose for the season ~ but I pray this opens your imagination:

• Jesus 
• Christ 
• Bethlehem
• Manger 
• Shepherds 
• Angels 
• Mary
• Joseph
• Incarnation/God-in-the-flesh
• Advent/waiting/wandering
• Wise Ones 
• Frankincense and Myrrh or Gifts
• Peace
• Joy
• Faith
• Hope
• Love
• Emmanuel: A name for Jesus, meaning "God with us". 

 

Or go read the words to your favorite Christmas Carol as a source to find a word.

 

Ponder today what word might cause your soul to stir.  A word that gives life and energy to your weary and worn-out soul.  A word that reminds you, God is still singing in the world today.  May this pondering guide you and hold you on this Thanksgiving Eve.  Amen.