In a world filled with propaganda and media streaming loud and strong 24 hours a day, is it any wonder that we have lost sight of stillness? Yes, stillness. Pause for a moment. Take a long breath in and wait. Now let it out slowly. These moments of quiet, albeit few and far between, may actually be the antidote to our crazed days. We are a busy people. Add in a spouse, and a few children locked into their busy schedules, and suddenly you find yourself in a busy whirlwind. Throw in the hoopla of the holidays, and it is a wonder that we call it, the most wonderful time of the year.
I see it in my own life. My proverbial 'full plate' is piling higher and higher. It is so easy to get swept up into the winds of motion. I want to be present in the now. I don't want another day to go by without knowing that I actually took notice of this life I am living. As Christmas approaches how I long to be present in it. To be mindful of Christ and His humble beginnings. Still...oh to be still.
Yet there is dinner to be made, work to be done, laundry to do and kids to tuck in. Time is a thief and waits for no one, and so we race against it. We buy into the lie that being busy and in motion somehow gets us farther in life. We are afraid that if we sit back and wait too long, we will miss out. In the craziness of the season, my prayer is to be still, and to take moments of stillness to reflect, even amidst the chaos, actually despite it.
Gracie loved Christmas. A dear friend took this beautiful picture of her. Our two little ones at the time were running, laughing and dancing around her pram and creating a beautiful chaos that only preschoolers can make! Yet, there she was. My sweet pea. She was taking it all in. She loved the lights of the tree, and she loved the squeals of her siblings. I remember this moment, clearly. I watched her, unmoved by the loud play around her, enjoying the soft glow of the lights of the tree, cooing softly. A cherished memory now held near to my heart. I am thankful for these moments that I 'come up for breath.' When we are caught in the busyness of life, it is easy to be vacant and unacknowledging of these simple moments around us. Oh to take notice more often and awaken to these moments in which we are fully present, where our soul is fully alive and aware. It is in these moments when we are alive enough to wake up from the daze of life and take notice. And it is these moments that then become our beloved memories.
Today, this hour, this minute, this moment...I encourage you to be still and take notice of the moment. Make time this season to be still. Don't let time steal away. More than any other moment, reflect on the one that changed this life forever. The moment when Christ became flesh and entered this incredible love story of restoration with His people; the moment in which our soul felt its worth. Fall on your knees this season, before the wood of His cradle, before the wood of the cross and remember.
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
