You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. (Psalm 16:11 NIV)

Last Friday, my six year old niece and I spent the afternoon together. She loves to point out women who have “a baby in the belly.” She is very curious about the whole mystery of the how the baby arrives. So I’m not surprised that she enjoys playing with the nativity figurines, especially baby Jesus and Mary. When my sister picked her up, we noticed that Loryn had placed Mary in the manger with Jesus. After they left, I placed everyone back in their proper place.

The next day I read a devotion about Mary’s receptivity to bearing the gift of Jesus in her womb. So I put Mary back on the manger, in that vulnerable position of offering herself to God and her openness to receiving Jesus into her life as pure gift.

As I have mentioned, my journey during this Advent{ure} has been very different than past years. I find myself struggling daily to recapture the “feel” of Christmases past.  Disappointment creeps in, and depression lurks in the corner. I despair over my failure to experience the joy I know is possible this time of year.

Today, I remembered an explanation I once read about the carol, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen. I used to think that the gentleman were merry and really didn’t think about what “God rest ye” meant.

“God rest ye merry” was an old English expression which petitioned God to keep one merry or joyful. (Christopher and Melodie Lane, Christ in the Carols)

When I try to manage my moods or control the merriment of the season, I become dismayed. I lose the joy of the season. My attempts at holiday cheer fizzle out, because my heart is occupied with anxious grabbing for stuff, rather than held open for receiving. I need to climb into the manger, and be still. To let His presence fill me with joy, peace, hope and complete love.

May God keep you merry the rest of this holy season!

 

Linking with Soli Deo Gloria Party