December 15, 2011

COME, LORD JESUS 

For many years now, Ann and I have ushered in the seasons of Advent and Christmas with the playing of music by Mannheim Steamroller, a pioneer in updating classical music with today’s contemporary sounds and instruments.  This year was different — we had the pleasure of hearing and seeing Mannheim Steamroller in concert at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. It was a wonderful evening in a beautiful venue with music to boost our spirits.  Initially, we were distracted by the images projected on the screen behind the musicians but eventually we both discovered that focusing on the musicians themselves or simply closing our eyes allowed us to enter fully into the experience of the evening.

As we count down the days to Christmas, I wonder what distractions we each have before us?  What keeps us from focusing our hearts and minds on the divine experience unfolding before our eyes?  We’ve still got presents to wrap, holiday treats to bake, and a tree to cut and decorate. The Christmas cards are not finished and the dinner menu has not been planned. Somewhere in the midst of all these last-minute details, time must be found to focus our hearts and minds on the birth of a little babe in Bethlehem.

What will you do to quiet your mind and still your heart for the experience of the Word made Flesh, Jesus? Come, Lord Jesus, come into our lives again this year.  Open our hearts to your grace and truth that we may be daily renewed by your Holy Spirit.

Submitted by Bishop Todd Ousley