Thursday, December 23, 2010

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent

In a few short days, we will be celebrating God With Us, a special day that has been an integral part of our lives since birth for many, whether Catholic or Christian or non-believer.

Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, so distinctly encapsulates the anticipation and excitement of the coming of our Lord:

"And suddenly there will come to the temple
the LORD whom you seek,
And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.
Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts." - Malachi 3:1

It is clear that God has desired and planned to come to be with us. This Christmas, we celebrate his arrival to share with us in our day-to-day sufferings and joys, as prophesied in readings from the Old Testament. One element of this scripture passage which is so special is the expression that God knows us so well, he knows whom we "seek" and whom we "desire." This is nothing more than the Lord, the person we were designed to be with, as He is with us. Is there any more special verb than to "be?"

This Christmas, where can we find God? In the quiet of our hearts, we may learn that He is very near to us. Evinced simply and profoundly by the love and support of our family and friends, whether here physically in our homes, dwelling far away, or residing peacefully in heaven, we celebrate. In an orphan child who may have taught us a lesson, we celebrate. Or more paradoxically, God may be with us in our challenges and struggles, showing us something about ourselves or our neighbor, becoming a lesson learned.

This Christmas, we pray that we may be open to seeing God in all His forms. May we see all the Christmas “gifts” he has bestowed on us, blessings which give, or teach, or support us in our personal journey of life.

reflected by Annie Dang

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