Post-Advent Musings

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Christmas is over. I trust you had a joyous time with your loved ones. I had two family-filled days that were fun and peaceful.

I’ve now begun to reflect on the year ahead.

A friend of mine mentioned a few days ago that she and her husband establish a key word for the year. Yes, one word. They prayerfully meditate on this and arrive at that word. A word they’d like to infuse more into their life and walk with Jesus. My friend’s word is “JOY”.

That was a new idea for me. It’s ruminated in my mind ever since and I’m sensing I may adopt a similar approach to 2013.

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means “God with us”).” (Matt 1:20-23 NIV)

As I mentioned in my Christmas Eve post, we wouldn’t celebrate Christ-mas if it weren’t for Jesus. Jesus was born. And for Christians He never leaves.

Everyday is Christ-mas Day. Jesus is with us, everyday.

I often feel I’m striving for relationship, for intimacy with Jesus. Searching even. Reading and studying, foraging like I’m searching for treasure. How can I find greater intimacy with Him? This blog’s tagline is “Reaching for Jesus.”

I get tired, particularly on days when I wake and the spark has gone and the pursuit appears as too much work.

But why the search?

“… that I was missing out on the nearness of God in the moment.”¹

Everyday is Christ-mas Day. Jesus is inside me. All day. Everyday.

I grabbed a quick lunch yesterday with a very dear old family member  who I haven’t spoken to in over 16 years. Graeme described some of the revelations he’s had these past few years. He shared many thought provoking statements but one really struck a cord:

“There’s a point we need to accept we have arrived.”

Jesus is here.

I have arrived.

I want to experience Jesus.

Live every moment full of Jesus.

So that’s what my 2013 is about. Can I encapsulate this in one word? I’m not sure at the moment. Love to hear any suggestions you may have.

Everyday is Christ-mas Day.

Notes: 1. “Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God”, Margaret Feinberg, Worthy Publishing 2012, p44.