Being Present – Advent Series 2023
Advent can be filled with worry about finding the perfect Christmas gifts. Deep down we want people in our lives to know they are special and that we love them. But sometimes we overlook the greatest gift of all… our very presence. Our spiritual ancestors were also worried — often about survival in the midst of political occupation. And the response of the scriptures is “the Holy Living One is with you.” Like a shepherd who never leaves the flock, we are held close. This season, we are invited to be the gift of presence for our loved ones, for our communities, for those who need it most. Join us this Advent season as we explore how we can be present with hope, peace, joy and love for our families and communities.
We live in an increasingly distracted world. Smartphones and the internet mean that we can be reached 24/7. The ping of a notification can entice our attention away from being fully present with the people we love. When we fail to give our full attention, when we are not fully present to the people we are with or the task we are working on…relationships suffer and productivity takes a dive.
In our Advent series this year we are celebrating the gift of being truly present – to each other and to the call of God to make this world a better place. We can be the gift of hope with those who are despairing or grieving. Even if we are poor – whether in resources, in body or spirit, we can simply be a gift of presence when we give our attention and hearts to others.
As we journey to Christmas we are reminded that Christmas was about God coming to be present with us. Advent is not only a time to prepare for the cute babe in the manger, but also for the recreation of this world when Jesus returns again. Are we present, alert and watchful for signs of his work among us?
So often in our ‘go-go-go’ world we find ourselves multi-tasking or obsessing about something that isn’t quite right or settled or the particular way we like it. We are very accustomed to a preoccupied mind that often has little peace. In this season we will consider how we can slow down and turn back once again to the “Prince of Peace,” the one that John the Baptist announced as he stood in the Jordan river. Jesus came into a world that was less-than-peaceful and it seems that not much has changed! As our world continues to experience poverty, war, disease, racism, corruption and oppression we may wonder why hasn’t Jesus returned to bring the promised lasting peace? If this and other questions are robbing you of peace, we invite you to join us on Sunday for some timely answers!