O Come, Emmanuel, God-with-us, stay with me…

Luke 1:26-45

In these times we are longing more than ever for connection with others, for the opportunity to go to communal gatherings, and for companionship during this strange journey through a shifting landscape. This is no accident! These are the deepest needs of our lives that reach far beyond our possessions, any kind of public recognition, and all kinds of success. These pandemic times have graced us with opportunity to return again to these basic principles of our humanity. When God-with-us, that is Jesus, came as an infant to Mary, Elizabeth and to Joseph, it was through deeply satisfying connection, companionship and communion in the Holy Spirit of God, that they each recognized Emmanuel as no ‘ordinary’ human being, but as God present – Mary as Jesus came to be with her in her womb, Elizabeth as she and her child in utero recognized Emmanuel yet to make an appearance, and Joseph as it was revealed to him in a dream that within his relationship with Mary God was present as never before. When we sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel in this present age, are we hoping Jesus will come to perform miracles for us, and increase our personal comfort? Or are we seeking the deeper gifts of connection, companionship and communion with the Holy Spirit of God that He birthed into the world? Now, more than ever, Let us seek the gifts that God designed us to receive. O Come, Emmanuel, God-with-us, and stay with us!  
 
Our soul waits for the Lord. He is our help and shield.     (Psalm 33:20)
 
Open wide the door to the one who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace.
St. Ambrose
 
Soli ad gloriam
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