Stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon.

It is not possible to keep it from coming, because it will. That’s just how Advent works. What is possible is not to see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. So, stay. Sit. Linger, Tarry, Ponder. Wait, Behold. Wonder. There will be enough time for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now. Stay, Wait. Something is on the horizon. -Jan Richardson

 I have noticed during our Advent journey in worship that there have been times when we want to push the pause button and sit. This has happened after my sermons, during the silent time after our “Be Still and Know” prayer, and after some of the music we have enjoyed together. I think this desire to push the pause button is very important to notice because it is counter cultural, especially in the energetic speeding up, consumerism, family challenges, and stress of the holiday season.

As the ever funny and wise Anne Lamott writes, “It is important to embrace the pause; to create quiet space so we can hear God’s voice. If our tongues are wagging, we can’t hear anything but ourselves.”  God’s voice is present in the listening. God’s voice is still speaking in silence and stillness. God’s voice can be heard in slowing down and doing something life-giving. God’s voice can be heard in the silent embrace of being enough and doing enough. God’s voice gets louder when we slow down, notice, and be curious.

I’m smiling at myself while I am still typing away and will resist the temptation to throw more words at you about silence, waiting, pausing, and being still.  What I will say in closing - is that as we prepare for the 4th Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Epiphany, and the New Year, I invite you push that pause button as we give birth to, and re-welcome the Light of Christ into our world- in the face of all that is joyful, tearful, frustrating, shocking, complicated, and (yes) holy.

As the beloved song we will sing in a few nights puts it, “Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.” May our souls feel their worth. Pushing the pause button will help. Do it as often as you need. Because no matter who you are, where you come from, or where you are on life’s journey- Advent or not, you are worthy and you are loved, no matter what is on the horizon.   

Much Love and Happy Holidays, -Rev. Jeanne