How to Prepare Him Room in Our Souls This Advent
The spiritual practice of noticing is key
Before the angels appeared to the shepherds on the hillside, there had been 400 years of silence. Between the pages of the Old Testament, and the New — a mere second for us to flip — lived a people waiting in anticipation of their Messiah.
In those 400 years, there had been no new word from God, no prophets, no revelation, no signs. I imagine that generations of Israelites got used to the silence, made peace with the longing in the waiting.
I wonder if they tired of hoping, grew weary of searching for signs, despaired of being rescued.
Are we waiting well?
The lowly shepherds who set out with their flock that day were preoccupied with their tasks — I doubt the coming of the Messiah was in any way on their minds, which makes the loud and bright appearance of the angels all the more spectacular of an event. Angels plus 400 years of silence plus shepherds minding their own business equals one mind-blowing story.
I sometimes wonder if God sent us a sign like that today — angels in the sky, or a bright star like he sent to the magi — would we notice? There’s a good chance I’d be the woman walking along and checking my phone, like the lady walking along the…
