Words of Advent: Behold

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ~ Luke 2:1-7


Part of beholding - seeing - is looking at the truth of yourself.
Seeing where you are.
Who you are.
Who you really are.
Living, breathing, being in this moment.
Right now.
Mary and Joseph were confronted with a reality in the delivery of their son in a way that undoubtedly they didn't expect or hope for.
Yet the truth was that through faith they were able to live into that reality.
They knew God was with them.
Emmanuel.
God with us.
God meets us where we are. 
God loves who we are.
May God live and move and breathe into your reality this Christmas Season. Whatever your hopes and expectations this year, may God help you to navigate them even when they aren't met.
And may the joy of the truth of this Christmas bring you life and light. 

God of truth, be with me in each moment this Christmas that I may see you clearly and love you dearly. Amen

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