Half-Lit This Christmas?

In the last few days leading up to Christmas, I noticed that some of the strands of lights on our Christmas tree have gone out. With the ornaments on the tree and only 4 days until Christmas, it makes no sense to try and put new lights on the tree. Our pitiful, half-lit Christmas tree is a metaphor.

There are many of us, just 4 days until the grand celebration of Jesus' birth who have had the challenges of life dim their lights. 2023 has been a year of death, divorce, disaster and disorientation for me. Life has done its darnedest to snuff out the light of Christ in my life.

Can I suggest that one way to re-light the light in your soul is to spend time every day in solitude, stillness and silence? In this new season of life and ministry for me, I am discovering a new kind of soul-deep peace by engaging in these practices.

Remember that we follow a Rabbi who lived a non-anxious life and traveled at 3 miles per hour. Years ago, my dear friend Marty Wilkinson challenged me with these words, "Jorge, there are two words you cannot find in the Bible. 'Jesus ran.'" As apprentices of Jesus, let's heed the words of Dallas Willard and "ruthlessly eliminate hurry in our lives."

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas.