Stand Silent

"We gratefully envision what Jeremiah foresaw thousands of years ago: "The days are surely coming, says the Lord" - let that note, surely, ring out like a bell! - when a ruler who brings justice and righteousness in his wake, will lead us not merely out of Egypt, but out of our slavery to sin. Having conquered even death, he will take us back to our true home, to live eternally in God's presence.

The promise of Isaiah that we heard at the beginning of Advent is now closer to fruition, if we will only pay attention to the signs: "The wilderness and dry lands shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and bloom." Now, as the world clamors for more toys and loud festivity, is the time for us to put first things first, and seek silence, if only for a few precious minutes a day. Now is the time when, ever more intently, we are to watch and listen for God."
(God With Us, p. 106)

This is really the hope and the joy of Christmas: to know that our Savior has come and is coming again and to be able to savor that hope more intentionally through the Christmas season. Blogging about these Advent readings has been a renewing experience for me, simply because it has forced me to sit down and take those few silent minutes every day to read and reflect. I haven't skipped a day because someone out there just might be reading what I write :) And even if no one does, I am enjoying this daily ritual. It has been very good. Now for the O Antiphon of the day:

O Flower of Jesse's stem,
you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;
rulers stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.