Glory, wonder - and
I can’t sit, can’t stay silent.
Good News needs to move.
Haiku Inspired by Luke 2:8-18
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Years ago, I printed Proverbs 8:33-34 on a card and placed it beside my bed. “Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don’t squander your precious life. Blessed the woman who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive.” Within these verses were two spiritual disciplines that had been widely underutilized on my faith journey: the disciplines of attentiveness and responsiveness.
The wise pay attention. Perhaps more than open hands or heart, open eyes are evidence of expectant faith. Distraction, noise, and consumerism easily cause us to miss entirely what God is doing. When attuned, we see the signals, we observe spiritual movements and stirrings. Spiritual sight leads us to discern the best response. We move in faith accordingly.
In the story of Christ’s birth, we see the interplay of attentiveness and responsiveness, and we recognize it as wisdom. In Matthew 2, a band of scholars arrive in Jerusalem looking for the newborn King of the Jews. They observed a star that signaled his birth, and rather than seeing it and doing nothing, they follow the signal. They journey to see the King for themselves; they move to worship Him.
In Luke 2, shepherds watch the sky open to angels singing of the Messiah’s birth. It’s entertainment beyond imagination, but rather than sitting back and discussing the glorious display, the shepherds choose to see the baby for themselves. They get up and move – with haste, scripture says.
Later in Luke 2, Simeon carries the promise that he will see the Messiah – a hope that has yet to be realized. Simeon is eagerly waiting, a state of readiness that heightens his spiritual senses and leads him to the temple. That very day, Simeon sees the God-child, receives Him into his arms, and reveals the truth to anyone listening: This child is salvation for all.
In Following the Movements of the Spirit, Henri Nouwen writes, “My spiritual task is to learn to listen to all that is going on and trust that God’s hand is guiding me.” These wise words are my hope for you as we close the advent season and usher in the new year ahead. May you enter a Spirit-led faith of paying attention and moving accordingly. May you willingly press closer to Christ, worshipping Him with your whole being – body, mind, and spirit.
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Well done. I’ve loved each and every one. Thank you for walking me through this advent to His feet. Attentive and responsive… beautiful meditations. Rest well tonight!🥰🙏