Henri Nouwen writes, The challenge is to let God be who he wants to be.  A part of us clings to our aloneness and does not allow God to touch us where we are most in pain.  Often we hide from him precisely those places in ourselves where we feel guilty, ashamed, confused, and lost.  Thus we do not give him a chance to be with us where we feel most alone.

Christmas is the renewed invitation not to be afraid and to let him—whose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehend—be our companion.

Immanuel.  God with us.  Impossible to believe.  Difficult to receive.

Where do you “cling to your aloneness,” not allowing God With Us to BE with you?  What creates that resistance?

What, if anything, do you plan to do about it?

Lord, we acknowledge Immanuel is a divine mystery we cannot understand.  We acknowledge our fallen state of aloneness.  We acknowledge our need for your companionship. 

Thank you that you are not content to just “leave us alone.”  That you renew the invitation.  That you never cease pursuing, despite our fear, our shame, our doubt, our confusion.  Help us, Lord, to open our hearts.  Help us, Lord, to open our minds.  Help us, Lord, to RECEIVE you.

Immanuel.  Come.

We want to be open to your arrival.

Amen.

advent alone god you tell me