This meditation was written with the hope that it will help you center your Christmas more fully around the Savior.
So let's get into it.
If it feels comfortable,
I invite you to close your eyes,
Allowing your body to relax.
Taking a deep breath in through the nose,
Exhaling any tension or stress your body might be holding.
Inhaling and opening up,
Making space around your heart.
Exhaling,
Relaxing your head,
Your jaw,
Your neck.
And on your next inhale,
Trying to breathe in light.
Relaxing your shoulders and your arms,
Your back and your belly.
Relaxing your hips,
Your legs,
All the way down through your feet and toes.
Just letting your body sit however it feels most comfortable.
In this meditation,
I'm going to invite you to use your imagination and let your mind take you back to that sacred night when Christ was born.
But first,
One of my favorite descriptions of that sacred scene from Dennis Grayson.
A thousand years before a thousand years ago,
A holy night descended on the world.
In the darkness of Bethlehem,
The omnipotent God became an impotent baby.
The hands that made the world and hung the stars in the sky were now just large enough to grasp a mother's finger.
I invite you to bring the image of the nativity to your mind.
Imagining yourself there among the animals.
What do you notice?
Can you feel the cool,
Crisp air?
Or perhaps it's a warm night.
You are watching as the shepherds make their way towards the stable.
How do you think they feel by the looks on their faces?
After just being visited by an angel who brought them glad tidings of great joy,
And hearing the heavens open with song and praise for this sweet child.
What do you see on their faces,
Noticing as they come and worship the baby?
What can you hear?
Perhaps the low murmur of voices,
The sounds of animals nearby,
Listening.
Glancing up now at the sky,
What do you see?
Can you see the light of the new star above?
This star that was put into orbit millennia ago to shine in glory on this very night.
Seeing the star with awe and wonder.
Now,
Gazing into the stable and noticing Mary and Joseph,
What are they doing?
What does Joseph's face tell you he is feeling?
Gazing upon Mary,
What does her face say?
Seeing her expression as she keeps all these things and ponders them in her heart.
Gazing now upon the baby,
The Christ child,
The savior of the world,
Your savior.
How do you feel when you see him?
Is there anything you'd like to say to him?
Feeling deep gratitude for this great act of love,
I invite you to give him a gift,
But not your typical Christmas gift.
I invite you to lay at his feet,
Something that keeps you from feeling the fullness of his love during the holidays.
Perhaps it's overwhelm,
Stress,
Distraction,
Hurry.
Choosing the one that most keeps you from feeling his love.
This baby has grown and suffered,
Has died and taken up his life again for you in the greatest act of love the world has ever known.
I invite you now to bring an image of the risen Lord to your mind,
Standing before you.
Laying your gift at his feet,
Your overwhelm,
Your anxiety,
Your busyness,
Your heartache,
Whatever it is for you,
Give it to him.
Give it to him so that he can fill you with love,
Light,
And peace.
Cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you.
Can you feel his love for you as you give your gift to him?
What does it feel like?
Letting it spread through you until you are filled.
Feeling gratitude for this gift of love,
For the light and peace that can only come from God.
Remembering what you have given away,
Remembering what your gift to him will be this year.
Anytime you find yourself feeling distanced from God,
Feeling pulled back into this emotion,
Remember you have given it to him and he has taken it from you or is carrying it with you.
Let it be replaced with love for him.
Breathing in gratitude for the goodness and love of God,
Exhaling.
When you're ready,
Coming back into the room,
Smiling and opening your eyes.
Merry Christmas,
Friends.
