Still

When I heard one of my favorite Christmas songs playing yesterday, I had the thought of using this word in the message to you beginning this third week of Advent.  However, when I consulted my spreadsheet of words used, (can you believe that?) I found I used that word last year around this time, mainly because I love the message and melody of the song “Still”, by Manheim Steamroller.  This time last year, we were still trying to recover from a huge move from Maryland and decorating for Christmas in our new home for the first time.  The year was definitely chaotic at times.  It was easier to make the excuse I had no time to be still with our Lord.  The good news is I think I got my mojo back when it comes to being still.  It took practice, focus and feeling that familiar pull to spend quality time with Jesus, just quietly sitting with Him.  It could be just using that time to appreciate His beauty all around us, being prayerfully in awe of the many things with which He has blessed us. Or maybe He’s calling you to be still in His presence by attending your local church, listening to His sacred words.   I promise you; the rewards will be immeasurable!  During this Advent season, which always moves way too quickly, I found my focus by sitting still while gazing at our family nativity under the Christmas tree.  Gazing at the cast of our role models before me, I envision their stillness on that Holy night.  Maybe it wasn’t exactly like that on the night of Jesus’ birth, but I believe the shepherds, the three wise men and, most definitely Mary and Joseph, were in awe of the miracle of the event that was taking place.  Time seemed to stand still, knowing that the world was welcoming a king that so many people had been praying for; still, feeling the love that was coming from an innocent child, still, not totally understanding they were part of something so much larger than themselves.  Every time we stop and just gaze at the nativity, the words “be still” should be on our silent lips.  As I write this, I am still and in awe of the great gift God gave to you and me.  Let’s give him our stillness this week, even if for only a minute, and feel deep down the amazing wonder of this Holy Season. 

“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!”  1 Samuel 12:16