Advent reflection by Emily

It's December 13th, and this is it for me.  It's the pinnacle -- the peak of Christmas craziness.

Even as I have grown to approach this season more thoughtfully over the past few years, it is still busier for me than any other time of year.  I have ornaments to hang, presents wrap, cards to mail, parties to attend, teacher gifts to purchase....the list goes on.  Those are all good things, to be sure, but it's still an awfully long list.

And from what I can tell, it's the norm.  Everyone I talk to, including my wisest and most prudent friends, operates at warp yuletide speed in December.  Where do we find peace and joy amid the chaos of too much well-intentioned celebration?

As someone who craves quiet and peace during every season, I'm often tempted to just skip Christmas and hibernate until  January 2nd.   Since that's not practical, I have found comfort in a surprising place:  the account of Elijah's battle with the Israelites and King Ahab.

To summarize the back story, the prophet Elijah told the Israelites and Ahab the truth about God.   It didn't go well.  The people rejected the truth, and Ahab vowed to kill Elijah.  Elijah had to run for his life.

While this was obviously a much bigger ordeal than my battle to get Christmas cards in the mail, it yields a bit of the same result.  While battling a broken world, Elijah flees in exhaustion.   While living in a broken world during Christmas, or any other time, I also am tempted to flee in exhaustion.

How did the Lord refresh Elijah?  Read about it in 1 Kings 19:
verse 3 "Elijah was afraida and ran for his life. ......

v. 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

v. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but theLord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

v. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.


God met Elijah in a gentle whisper.

And because Jesus came down to us, we can now hold that whisper in our hearts.

This world may be fallen, and this season may be hectic, but remember that God is near.  May you take a moment to savor His presence and hear His whisper during this sacred season.