We are a life surrounded by God.
In our first reading today, we heard Isaiah prophesy that the Messiah would be named “Immanu el – God is with us”.
And our Psalmist told us that “The earth is the Lords and all that is in it “…that everything belongs to God, the whole kit and caboodle —
- the heavens, the earth,
- the land, the sea,
- the water, the air,
- the animals and the people: you and me.
We are all created by God, and We are a life surrounded by God. Do you feel it? Do you sense God’s presence in your life? Surrounding your life?
It’s a bit easier to feel it when you are here in the church today. That’s one of the reasons we come here. To Feel God. To get away from the hustle and bustle out there: to immerse ourselves in the music, the images, the incense, the candles, in the comfort of ritual prayer, and quiet moments of reflection.
It’s easier to sense God’s presence here.
It’s also easier to feel God’s presence as we share gifts on Christmas Morning or as we gather as family to share a meal, listen to Christmas music or sing Christmas carols together, as we laugh with each other, or watch the joy in our children’s faces, as we feel the warmth of love suffuse our gathering.
But it is not just now at Church, or at home on Christmas Morning ….. we are called to feel God’s presence at all times and in all places … And yes, it’s a bit harder to feel that presence at the Evening Christmas Masses when people we haven’t seen for a year show up and complain there are no seats left. And forget to turn their cell phones off. And it’s harder still in Shopping Malls on Boxing day.
But it is what we are called to do …… to be aware of the presence of God.
Because isn’t that really what we celebrating in just a few days? Immanu-el ? that God is with us ? That God is here …
- to bring peace to our hearts when we are afraid,
- to soothe us when we are in pain,
- to hold us when we are lonely
- to comfort us when we are oppressed,
- to heal us when we are hurt and
- to forgive us when we sin.
- That there is not one step in this life that we have to take alone.
- That God is with us every step of the way, every moment we live, every place we find ourselves.
As we enter these final few days before the Celebration of Christmas, – amidst all of the rushing for last-minute gifts, the wrapping of presents, and the preparing of meals, take time throughout the day to become more sensitive to the presence of God in the events and encounters of our day.
Each day. Every Day. To become more aware that we are a life surrounded by God