JOYFUL PIECE #75
Detach from the din...
The warm embers of a joyful Thanksgiving were free from engagement with the menagerie of our times. The gathering was small but loving, and my wife and I left with enough leftovers to last a week, (or a lifetime around my waist).
On the day after we began to pull Christmas decorations out of storage. Each box brought forth memories of past celebrations that kept the embers glowing.
On Saturday, we put up the tree and I began to assemble the Nativity scene— a tradition that I began some years ago to tie our grandchildren to the traditions of my grandparents.
This year I focused on the interactions among the figures in the Nativity scene. Even the lambs were arranged in a caucus. Each grouping, such as the shepherds, the wise men, the donkey and bull, and the Holy Family, became objects of meditations as the Nativity scene slowly and methodically took shape.
In one small grouping the angel is announcing Jesus’ birth to a shepherd. The latter is totally in rapture listening to the good news from the angel. Interestingly, in examining him in detail, he resembles me in age and dwindling white hair. Could it be that old men can listen to the message?
There comes a time in life when the small things take on a deeper meaning than usual. I begin to take note of the message that objects bring and the deep joy and peace that contemplation bestows. I begin to ponder the message of the sages as to where to seek deep and lasting meaning and joy.
I listened to the angel’s message.
From the beginning of time until now, the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth.
—Romans 8:22
Could the news be bringing the groaning of an ever-evolving creation? Does not nature teach that from destruction comes renewal? We must remain faithful and do whatever good we can; what is required from us is evolutionary thinking.
“We all need some degree of predictability, but in faith, I can live without certainty to some degree. Living in that tension, that in-between, could be called evolutionary thinking or it could be called trusting in deep time. I’m trusting there’s a deep river flowing. Even when not much is happening on the upper river, I still trust the deeper river.”
— RICHARD ROHR [1]
Stay joyful and love-filled in this season of Advent away from the din of the news.
Another solid article. On a side note I have noticed I listen to the news alot less these days preferring to read about it from various sources. A calming effect has occurred from this change in my behavior.
I am overwhelmed by your faith. Yet, at this stage of ny life, close to bowing end exiting stage left, I have no energy left to even contemplate serching my soul for it. I am a spiritual person . But I have also grown reluctant to
believe in what I consider Implausible. Your writing always provoques reflection. Gracias
.