And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into your hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us.” ~ Romans 5:5
I’m not sure what I use to think…it has been some time now that my eyes have been opened to the abundant nature of God’s love – still, in the busyness of life; in the hustle and bustle of just managing everyday; my eyes can become blinded once more to the mystery of the incarnation.
Some other time when things calm down I will make time to gaze in wonder once more…
Later, after I have gotten ahead of my list of obligations, I will quiet my mind and rededicate my soul…
And the call grows fainter and the essences of the world pushes in to smother my flickering faith until I am left feeling cold and with out hope.
But that is what Advent is all about — starting over once more.
Beginning again, I nurture the wonder, relaxing into the morning and longing to hear your voice:
Dear Lord, point me towards your light so that I might me filled with admiration for your story once more. Help me to shake off the dust of this world and open my eyes to relish in the beauty of your story this Advent season.
As Saint Ignatius systematically sets down for us in his Spiritual Exercises: “Here I ask for what I want,…interior knowledge of the Lord who became human for me so that I may better love and follow him.”
I had somehow overlooked this painting by Matthias Grünewald called “Concert of Angels and Nativity”. If you zoom in close you will see that the wood sculptures have come to life and are talking to one another. It reminded me of the scene in Beauty and the Beast where the enchanted castle welcomes Belle to “Be Our Guest.” This may seem funny but when you think about it, that is what we are doing each year as we treasure the moments of Advent, we are inviting the baby Jesus into our hearts once more. (I hope you will click on the Image Source so you can see this painting up close:)
I hope you will celebrate his coming with all the thousands of angels that are surrounding us every day. (just out of our notice;) May God bless you with holy vision this Christmas season.
But you have come to Mount Zion to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly. ~ Hebrews 12:22
God Thru the Arts 
