That song is ringing in my soul now...it is so odd how things are stirring in my soul. I do not like winter because the cold is very painful to my hands and knees. I am a terrible winter driver on ice and snow. Not fond of being cooped up inside when nature is so beautiful outside. The dark falling so early in the evening and when I leave for work in the morning...yet this year is different...and I do not know why! My employment is in retail, so commercial, and joy-stealing during the holidays. Yet, the Joy of Christmas is stirring in me even before All Hallows Eve! I cannot wait for the snowbound days, for decorating and singing for Christmas, and going to Midnight Mass! I am excited about doing the Advent candles and prayers too!
A protestant pastor awhile back gave a sermon that I never forgot; because I totally understood what he was talking about. Many did not understand it and thought him to be teaching heresy because it was not preaching the bible to them. They expect to be hand fed the Word and then not use it in their daily lives for "their Journey". It is about a Journey, our own personal and collective journey towards holiness and towards God through Christ Jesus.
He had borrowed a passage and an idea from an older writer...and I believe it was a Catholic writer. It had to do with "Thin Places". The writer explained that there are times in our lives, where we come close to Thin Places that our spirit is more in tune with the Holy Spirit, feeling His Presence, and hearing with a "different hearing". These thin places were the times we felt closest to God--like the veil that covers us was moved or thinned to allow us a more intimate connection in the spiritual dimension.
I go thru periods of dryness where it is all I can do to pray, and then there are days of "worldliness" that I don't feel so holy and feel very depressed or humanly led by emotions of anger, judging, and apathy. Then there are periods of absolute incredible joy and understanding and hearing that cannot be explained to others. Mostly, though, it is a struggle to maintain and read and pray. The motions of daily life...parenting, being a wife, grandma, sister, friend, aunt, employee, coworker, and child of God...keep me busy and occupied...as it is with most of us.
When something stirs beyond the veil and calls me to come closer...I have learned to heed, to dare to take that step nearer, and have heard wondrous things, experienced indescribable moments, learned previously unknown things, grasped a deeper understanding of something, and I am energized in faith! I know that many people never get to discover this; but oh how I wish that they would and so I pray for alot of people! Something joyous is coming in this season for me, and I so want it! The Lord is generous to those who knock, ask, and seek! I plan to move my journey into this Holy Season by walking in the Spirit and not thinking, reacting, and living wordly. This Christmas Season is about anticipating the fullness of Christ, both now and in the future!
A protestant pastor awhile back gave a sermon that I never forgot; because I totally understood what he was talking about. Many did not understand it and thought him to be teaching heresy because it was not preaching the bible to them. They expect to be hand fed the Word and then not use it in their daily lives for "their Journey". It is about a Journey, our own personal and collective journey towards holiness and towards God through Christ Jesus.
He had borrowed a passage and an idea from an older writer...and I believe it was a Catholic writer. It had to do with "Thin Places". The writer explained that there are times in our lives, where we come close to Thin Places that our spirit is more in tune with the Holy Spirit, feeling His Presence, and hearing with a "different hearing". These thin places were the times we felt closest to God--like the veil that covers us was moved or thinned to allow us a more intimate connection in the spiritual dimension.
I go thru periods of dryness where it is all I can do to pray, and then there are days of "worldliness" that I don't feel so holy and feel very depressed or humanly led by emotions of anger, judging, and apathy. Then there are periods of absolute incredible joy and understanding and hearing that cannot be explained to others. Mostly, though, it is a struggle to maintain and read and pray. The motions of daily life...parenting, being a wife, grandma, sister, friend, aunt, employee, coworker, and child of God...keep me busy and occupied...as it is with most of us.
When something stirs beyond the veil and calls me to come closer...I have learned to heed, to dare to take that step nearer, and have heard wondrous things, experienced indescribable moments, learned previously unknown things, grasped a deeper understanding of something, and I am energized in faith! I know that many people never get to discover this; but oh how I wish that they would and so I pray for alot of people! Something joyous is coming in this season for me, and I so want it! The Lord is generous to those who knock, ask, and seek! I plan to move my journey into this Holy Season by walking in the Spirit and not thinking, reacting, and living wordly. This Christmas Season is about anticipating the fullness of Christ, both now and in the future!
