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Advent’s Invitation to Perceive
John 1:1-14

​      Several years ago, Washington Post columnist Gene Weingarten conducted what he called “an experiment in perception”.   He wanted to answer this question: “In an ordinary setting, at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend (rise above and be noticed)?”
      He reached out to world-renowned violin virtuoso Joshua Bell and convinced him to play at a Washington, DC metro station during rush hour. For a little background, Bell plays a hand-crafted 1713 Stradivarius violin, reportedly worth $3.5 million.  A few days beforehand, he’d sold out at Boston’s Symphony Hall; many of the tickets cost $100.
     For 43 minutes Joshua Bell played his treasured violin in a crowded subway station.  He was no run-of-the-mill street performer, so would he be noticed?   Would anyone, on a normal but rushed day, pause and perceive the glorious music he created?   Approximately 1,000 passengers walked by him; just 27 slowed down enough to drop some change in his hat (it totaled $32.17).   Seven people stopped for a short while, appreciating his music.  One person recognized who he was.  
      If you’d been there, would you have paused, or perceived, the extraordinary music played by a master violinist that day?  As we begin our countdown to Christmas, there are just 28 days left.  Will our days become rushed and fuller than usual? Mine will.  There will be a freshly-cut tree – hopefully stable in its stand – to decorate. Also presents to buy that I hope people will love and holiday baking using my favorite recipes - even though prices have spiked.  Then there’s the labor of love sending out Christmas greetings to friends and family, wrapping (or bagging) up gifts I’ve hidden away, and making plans for Christmas brunch or dinner.  On my wish list, but not written down, would be a few days afterward of rest and general laziness. 
        Does this sound more or less like what your month of December will be like?  Whatever your plans or traditions may be, I hope they bring you joy and meaning. For many years, that was the shape of my December.  It got my best energy, creativity, love, and time.  I have photos albums of those years; I wore festive Christmas sweaters and made more homemade gifts and baked goods than seems possible.  I did not gain weight over the holidays.  Altogether, it seemed about as good as it could get!  
     As my young adult years passed, I had some pastors at my local church whose messages and lives began to have a real impact on me.  They led me toward a deeper faith.  In the good times, but especially in the hard times, their Sunday messages and Bible studies met me where I was at; likewise, when I struggled with a hidden fear, a silent sadness, or some other struggle, I began to not just pray about such things – I opened myself to following God’s direction and correction.  The key was that I first had to pause and perceive that God was with me.  A breath prayer away.  God saw me, knew me, and would guide me, as I trusted in Him.  I sensed there was so much more of God, and about God, that I’d only just begun to discover.
       During Advent and Lent I went to church whenever something was offered.  I’d never gone to mid-week offerings before, but once I started to, I never missed them.  I was often moved by the music, stories, and images in a worship setting or through small group experiences.  I learned so much more than what I’d been taught in Sunday School… it was like one grand reveal after another.  I began to perceive and receive more each year. 
       In hindsight, I’ve come to more fully appreciate the impact of God’s people in that church. There were some very dear, mature Christians in that congregation of well over 100 members.  I spent a great deal of time with them, volunteering in whatever areas I had gifts or could offer my time.  My husband and I weren’t parents yet, so we were at the church willingly three or four days each week. I’m glad I journaled during that time; as I’ve gone back to read those entries, I’ve realized the cumulative effect of those years spent with fellow church members.  They were caring. Their prayers and friendship, their weaknesses and wisdom, it all impacted me.  It was my first experience of genuine fellowship and partnership with brothers and sisters in Christ.  I moved from the edge of the church, much closer to the living center of it.  
        I’ve thought so much about the video you just saw of the Joshua Bell morning concert in a Washington subway station. It reminds me that in the rush hour we call December, when we’re supposed to pause and perceive that God came down to be with us, we can miss him.  So, it’s my prayer for your lives and mine that we’ll be alert during the next 28 days.  Let’s do all we can to put ourselves in the center of God’s advent by showing up for worship, going to special services, spending time connecting with other Christians, and serving Christ’s church side by side.  
      You don’t have to write in a journal as I once did, but I believe that if you did, there would be “More” in your life: more of God, more transformation and contemplation.  So, opt in; choose to be curious, to pause and change the direction you were heading toward.   Expect to be surprised.   Be open to making sacrifices.  Consider God’s prompting to release lesser things, so you can receive far finer.            
       On this first week of Advent, all the way to Christmas morning, I hope we’ll draw near to Jesus, not pass by his exquisite offerings, in the busy rush hours of our lives.   Thanks be to God, amen.

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