Hello friends,
This is Mark Gladman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk-in-docs.
This is day 21 of Towards the Light,
An Advent journey,
And today we're reflecting on God among us.
This is the place Advent leads us to.
Here,
To the wonder and the mystery of Emmanuel,
A word that means God with us.
This is the heartbeat of our faith,
A God who doesn't remain distant but chooses to step into our world,
Into our history,
Into our time and into our space,
Into our lives and into our hearts,
And not as a mere observer but one who dwells among us,
Abides with us,
Sharing in our joys,
Our struggles,
Our triumphs and our sorrows.
Matthew 1 is the place where this word is used,
Where Matthew writes that the Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they will call him Emmanuel,
Which means God with us.
That's in Matthew 1.
23.
But take care,
Emmanuel isn't a title,
It's a promise.
God with us is a promise to live with and to live by.
Imagine God with us in our laughter,
God with us in our confusion,
God with us in our waiting,
God with us even when we can't feel it,
Even when life feels messy,
Even when everything is so uncertain.
Thomas Merton captured this truth beautifully.
When he wrote the words,
And I quote,
We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and God is shining through it all the time,
End quote.
I wonder,
What would the world look like if we allowed ourselves to see the world in this way?
What if we truly believe that every moment,
Ordinary or extraordinary,
Is infused with God's presence?
But here's the challenge.
Living in the awareness of Emmanuel requires intention.
It asks us to pause,
To notice,
To make space in our hearts.
It means acknowledging that the same God who came to us as a child in a manger is still here,
Still present and still speaking.
Have you ever wondered how your life might change if you lived each day fully aware of God's presence?
Would you carry your burdens differently?
Would you approach others with more compassion,
Knowing that they too are seen and loved by God?
So today,
Perhaps your prayer could be that you see the fingerprints of God in the everyday moments of your life.
May you find courage and peace knowing that God is not far off,
But near,
Always,
Always near,
Among us,
Around us,
At hand,
Within us.
May you live with an open heart,
Inviting Emmanuel into every corner of your life,
Your hopes,
Your struggles and your dreams.
May you become a reflection of God's presence to those around you,
Offering love,
Grace and kindness.
And as you go into your day,
Take a moment to pray.
Come,
Lord Jesus.
And let that simple prayer open your heart to the God who is already here,
Walking beside you,
Shining through every single moment and shining through you every single moment.
And may the grace,
Peace and love of the Emmanuel with you be with you and shine through you this day and every day.
Amen.
Shine your light,
My friends.
Until tomorrow,
Peace be with you.
Amen.
