It’s hard to believe that December 1st has arrived. It’s hard to believe that our youngest daughter, Mia, turns 18 today too. The first day of the last month of 2022 causes me to stop, reflect, ponder, offer thanks, and dream.
The season of Advent is one of my favorite seasons in the church. I love the images of simple candles on the windowsill in the sanctuary. Nativity sets of different shapes and sizes return to familiar places while Chrismons and banners cause us to notice symbols, sequences, or shapes for the first time. The words of one my favorite hymns, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” is just as relevant today as the words were in 1744 when they were first written.
‘Come thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.”
I find it so interesting that we schedule or try and cram so much into one season. Gatherings, parties, activities, etc. only leave us exhausted by the time Christmas finally arrives. Why is this? Have these activities, gatherings, etc., become acts of avoidance subconsciously to sit, ponder, and wonder if there is somethin’ bigger than me going on?
This week, I have been sitting with the familiar words of the Prophet and “Poet of Light” Isaiah, the Peaceable Kingdom. “In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of the cobra. Yes, a little child will put his hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.”
This is far more than a pie-in-the-sky dream or simply being optimistic, this is a hope-filled reality that is possible. Are we not better able to see glimpses of God’s hope and love when we the world is somethin’ bigger than ourselves? Maybe this December, the greatest gift we can give ourselves is permission to take a deep breath and sit with our feelings. It could be five minutes in your vehicle before attending yet another event. It might be taking time to light a candle at the beginning of the day, writing in a journal, and going for a walk in the crisp, December air of evening.
As I write this blog, I have discovered a new favorite Dolly Parton song for inspiration. “Somethin’ Bigger than Me” was written in 1997 for the animated movie, “Annabelle’s Wish”. Annabelle, a calf, is born on Christmas Eve in the rural farming community of Twobridge, Tennessee. Upon meeting Santa, she becomes fascinated with the reindeers and their ability to fly and wishes to fly herself. As we read some of the lyrics of this song, perhaps we can slow down, take a breath, and see somethin’ bigger than ourselves at work within this season.
Somethin’ greater than me, wiser than me
Shows me where I go wrong
Knows when I’m down too long
And gives me the hope
I need to be strong
Something I can’t explain
Soothes me like summer rain
Listens when I complain
Even in my dreams
Somethin’ bigger than me, kinder than me
Loves me the way I am
And in some wondrous plan
Helps me to be the best that I can
Something I never doubt
Knows what I’m all about
Says it will all work out
Even in my dreams
Long Talk…. 