Silence as a Teacher

"Be still, and know that I am God"  Psalm 46:10

It seems every New Year, we all take some time to reflect on a resolution that we can make to better ourselves.  I know that I have entered each new year hoping I will eat better, exercise more, etc.  I have “hoped” that I will be a better person, give people more time, listen better, etc.  Each year I enter the year with much to “do”.  January 1^st hasn’t hit yet and I’m already exhausted.

Rarely do I say I will enter the new year and be still, be silent.  Yet, as I look at my life and the long “to do” list that I seem to constantly have, being still and silent don’t seem to be on the list.  I tend to be a “doer”, finding plenty to keep me busy, even in the smallest of moments.  Looking at this verse, though, our dear Lord wants one thing from me – to be still.

Does this seem as daunting to you as it does to me?  Can I really sit still?  Can I truly be silent?  This new year, I am going to try.  Why?  Because my Lord is asking me to.  My God is telling me to be still, to be with Him, to pray to Him, to show time and attention to Him.  He certainly deserves that from me – that and so much more.  What does that entail, to be still with God? 

I believe this will mean different things for different people.  It may mean meditating on a verse that you hold close to your heart.  It may mean sitting in your favorite chair and talking to God.  It may mean wrapped up in your favorite blanket and looking at your favorite picture, knowing how loved you are by God.  I pray that it also includes time for our minds to be quiet and still, and waiting for God to talk to us.  The Holy Spirit is so powerful, yet many times we aren’t still enough or silent enough to hear him.  He is always there, waiting to tug our hearts, our minds, our souls to be close to him.

As we begin this new year, may we take time out of our busy schedules to “be still” and silent so we can hear God.  Let Him pierce our hearts with his love so that we may live out our lives loving others.  Happy New Year to all!!

Heavenly Father, help us this new year.  Help us to be still and silent.  We know that in the silence you can teach us so very much that we need for our daily lives.  May we choose time away from the lists and the activities to spend time with you, in silence.  May we hear your voice as you speak to us and move forward with you.  In your merciful name we pray, Amen!

Sounds of Christmas - Silence

"The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him."

Habakkuk 2:20

So quickly we are at the fourth Sunday of Advent.  This season, we explored the sounds of Christmas.  You may not believe silence is a sound, but I do.  I believe it is probably the most profound sound we can experience.  Whether we are the ones who are silent or others are silent around us, silence "can be golden".

We have explored the other sounds of Christmas, the choirs singing, the angels' hallelujahs, and the animals speaking.  Today, we see the importance of silence on the most holy of nights.  Although this verse from Habakkuk is not one typically read at Christmas Eve services, I do believe it eloquently shares the picture of Jesus' birth.  

Jesus coming to Earth was anything but typical.  There were no midwives to be found, no comforting pillows, no water close by.  The scene has many sounds, but I am sure there was also the sound of silence.  God's perfect son made his way to Earth to be the salvation for each and every one of us.  As the star rose in the sky, as the shepherds watched in wonder, time stood still.  For it was at that moment that the world changed.  It was at that moment that the devil would be the one tested.  It was at that moment that God brought forth the one and only savior - Jesus.

The earth was silent before him.  At that moment, neither Joseph or Mary could even fathom where Jesus' life would be take him.  The silent night broke through all the other sounds.  The silent night let us know that the extra ordinary had arrived.  

There are many beautiful sounds of Christmas, sounds that help me to celebrate this incredible season each year.  Yet, it is the silent night, when I sit before the tree with all its lights, and look at the nativity scene, and I realize what God did for me!  He loved me enough to send me hope.  He loved me enough to send me his love in an earthly form.  He loved me enough to send me joy.  He loved me enough to send me a savior.  

I pray that for everyone reading this post, your Christmas finds at least one moment of silence.  May you experience the hope, love and joy that God sent to us in his son, Jesus.  Relish the quiet, reflect on your faith and may you bring the love that was given to you by God to each and every person that you meet.  Merry Christmas to All!

Dearest God, silence seems to be in short supply these days, especially during the Christmas season.  We find ourselves so busy with preparations that we forget the importance of silence.  Help us to take time in the days ahead to relish the moment of silence, and remember that Silent Night, that Holy Night, where you sent your son to us.  In your loving name we pray, Amen~

Sounds of Christmas - Animals Speaking

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky and they will tell you."

Job 12:7

When I started this series for Advent, I thought it would be easy - there are so many sounds of Christmas.  I came to realize that the sounds of Christmas were more OUR sounds of today versus the sounds at Jesus' birth.  When I was discussing this with my daughter, she shared, "What about the animals, Mom?"  It made me think of the role of the animals at Jesus' birth.

It's hard to tell the Christmas story without the presence of sheep, ox, and lest we forget, the donkey.  Almost every nativity scene I have observed has had an animal presence.  I'm sure they weren't actually "speaking", but I am also pretty positive that there were times when the braying of a donkey was heard or the bleating of sheep.  I'm also fairly certain that they provided a sense of comfort versus annoyance (like when my dog is barking incessantly).  Remember the presence of God was there too~~

There is much to learn from animals, as our verse from today shares.  God put animals on the earth for many reasons.  Yet, when you think about some of the larger events in Bible history, they were there.  Certainly at creation, the great flood, Jesus' birth and bringing him to his death.  Animals played a profound role, helping us always to understand that every living creature is important.

Looking at this verse, our animals do teach us much.  In the wild, they have everything they need to sustain - teaching us the value of sustainability.  Domestically, I have yet to find a pet owner who doesn't believe that they provide unconditional love - and I do agree!  Yet, the sounds that they make also tell us what they need.  Many times, the barks or cries of our animals share what they need - they teach us to respond to them.  

Taking a note from the animals, as humans we should also share what we need.  How many times have we made "assumptions" that people should understand our need for love or attention?  Many times, if we don't speak up, people will not know.  Also, we need to learn to respond when people do speak up.  As busy people, we can overlook what others are sharing with us.  We need to stop what we are doing and listen - especially to our children.  

Animals have much to teach us - with the sounds that they make.  May we always be cognizant of that as we listen to others!  God put our animal friends on this earth for a reason - may we learn from them!

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessing of animals on this earth.  They were always present at the important events in Jesus' life, providing a backdrop of not only service but learning for us.  May we take what we learn and bring it into our daily actions - remembering to listen to those around us, even our animals.  In you name we pray.  Amen!

Sounds of Christmas - Choirs Hallelujah

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom is favor rests."

Luke 2:13-14

I just love when the choir sings at church.  The voices all blend together, sounding as if there were angels worshiping with us.  Many times, I find myself closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and knowing that Jesus is sitting right next to me.

Although listening to choirs is beautiful any time of year, something special happens at Christmas.  As the choir sings beautiful hymns or songs of the season, I become reflective and joyous.  Their words fill my heart and the notes echo in my mind.  Typically, as I leave the sanctuary and head home, I find myself humming the tunes (or better yet, actually singing out loud).

As choirs sing, I can't help but think of the shepherds on that first Christmas.  Oh,the hallelujahs that must have been sung by the heavenly host of angels.  I know how I feel with a choir singing - I can only imagine how they must have felt with the angels above them.  Although a bit afraid, I'm sure they were also overcome with joy.  

Our joy comes from so many places around Christmas.  The choirs of hallelujah can come from the beautiful professional choirs.  Better yet, I've always been fond of the children who sing together.  All choirs show the love for our Lord and Savior Jesus.  Jesus may not have arrived on a camel adorned with gold, but He was announced through the beautiful hallelujahs that can only come from heaven.

As we close our eyes and listen to different choirs this Christmas season, may you remember the shepherds who were graced by the heavenly hosts.  May the music bring as much joy to you as they brought to the shepherds long ago.  

Dearest God, we thank you for the heavenly hosts.  As they announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds in the fields, may we feel that Christmas love that only you can give us when we hear choirs sing hallelujah in our churches.  Bless this time of reflection and fill our hearts with love.  Amen!

Sounds of Christmas - Singing

"Sings to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts."  Psalm 105:2

It's hard to believe that it's the first Sunday in Advent already.  When Thanksgiving comes this late in November, it seems like the Christmas season gets a quick start.  Not that I'm complaining.  As many of you know, I've been decorating for weeks.  I'm happy to say that this past Friday, the last tree went up in the house - it is now complete and ready to enjoy.

As I was contemplating what to write about this Advent season, it came to me that there are many wonderful sounds that we experience.  Each Sunday in December, I'll be exploring one that I pray will resonate with you and that we can celebrate together.  The first one - singing!  My children will tell you that although I may not have the voice of Celine Dion, I certainly enjoy singing - especially Christmas carols.  I start on November 1st and enjoy singing them whenever I can.

Christmas carols have such a beauty to them.  Whether ones of old or newer carols, they all hold something dear - praise to the events surrounding the birth of our Savior.  As I sing these precious tunes, I can picture the scenario of long ago.  In "Little Town of Bethlehem", I can see the small town where Jesus came to lay his head.  "The First Noel" has me picturing the beautiful angels singing from beyond.  Pictures of people entering their churches are what I see when I sing, "O Come All Ye Faithful".   There is one my favorites, "Away in the Manger", where I can see the nativity scene so clearly.

As we sing those carols this year, I ask that you take a minute.  Sing those words of praise and joy to our Lord.  Picture the scenes in your mind.  Bring the season into your heart.  As you sing the words, remember who you are singing to - "praise him, tell of his wonderful acts."  It all starts now.  Advent, preparation for Jesus' arrival, is our chance to refocus our hearts from the busyness of the holiday season and bring it closer to the true meaning, the birth of our Savior.  

I encourage all of us to listen for the Sounds of Christmas.  Singing praise and joy can happen when you need it the most.  Maybe you start singing in the middle of a busy store, at home while decorating, or in church with fellow parishioners.  Step aside.  Close your eyes for a moment.  Fill your heart with Jesus.  I guarantee you a smile will cross your face and He will hear your praise.  May the week ahead hold the sound of singing close to your heart as you prepare for His arrival.

Dearest Jesus - as we prepare for your arrival, may we hold the sounds of Christmas close to us, especially through Christmas carols.  May we sing with joy from our hearts as you fill our hearts with your love.  Help us to focus our thoughts and attention to you, Jesus.  In your holy name we pray.  Amen!