"To look is not to see, to consider is not to understand, to pray is not to communicate," is a phrase I just made up but has been meant by other, wiser people who said similar things before. We can participate in something like advent and entirely miss it's meaning.
Famed astronomer William Herschel responds to criticism from his colleagues with some relevant wisdom.
"Seeing is in some respects an art, which must be learnt. To make a person see with such a power (as his own) is nearly the same if I were to asked to make him play one of Handel's fugues upon the organ. Many a night have I been practicing to see, and it would be strange if one did not acquire a certain dexterity by such constant practice."
We who desire to see God must not neglect such diligent practice. If men and women can be so motivated by the stars so as to spend hours in constant study. Who are we to deny the Creator of said stars equal study? The sun, the moon, all the stars of heaven, in all their glorious splendor do not compare to their heavenly Maker. Indeed, they are but symbols of, a representation of Him whom we shall meet face to face in the fullness of time. (I Corinthians 13:12).
So we wait, and we remind ourselves of His impending arrival by observing seasons like Advent. We must not forget His parting instructions in our excitement at His imminent return. As wait for the joy set before us, let us be faithful to carry the cross He has called each of us to bear. Feeding the hungry, offering drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick and the imprisoned are not tasks for those few rare Christians who happen to enjoy doing such work. Anyone who says Jesus' sole response to a problem was prayer, has not read the Gospels. This advent season lets not just celebrate with food, family and fun. Maybe instead we can experience more of what Christ intended this season to be by celebrating with charity, kindness and compassion. Maybe we could take the stress our of the holiday season by making it less about us and more about the people who have no food, or family or fun to celebrate. I am aware that such thoughts are hard to think about and even harder to act on, but I submit to you that despite the difficulty, the return is worth the investment.
Pax Vobiscum until tomorrow.
Famed astronomer William Herschel responds to criticism from his colleagues with some relevant wisdom.
"Seeing is in some respects an art, which must be learnt. To make a person see with such a power (as his own) is nearly the same if I were to asked to make him play one of Handel's fugues upon the organ. Many a night have I been practicing to see, and it would be strange if one did not acquire a certain dexterity by such constant practice."
We who desire to see God must not neglect such diligent practice. If men and women can be so motivated by the stars so as to spend hours in constant study. Who are we to deny the Creator of said stars equal study? The sun, the moon, all the stars of heaven, in all their glorious splendor do not compare to their heavenly Maker. Indeed, they are but symbols of, a representation of Him whom we shall meet face to face in the fullness of time. (I Corinthians 13:12).
So we wait, and we remind ourselves of His impending arrival by observing seasons like Advent. We must not forget His parting instructions in our excitement at His imminent return. As wait for the joy set before us, let us be faithful to carry the cross He has called each of us to bear. Feeding the hungry, offering drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick and the imprisoned are not tasks for those few rare Christians who happen to enjoy doing such work. Anyone who says Jesus' sole response to a problem was prayer, has not read the Gospels. This advent season lets not just celebrate with food, family and fun. Maybe instead we can experience more of what Christ intended this season to be by celebrating with charity, kindness and compassion. Maybe we could take the stress our of the holiday season by making it less about us and more about the people who have no food, or family or fun to celebrate. I am aware that such thoughts are hard to think about and even harder to act on, but I submit to you that despite the difficulty, the return is worth the investment.
Pax Vobiscum until tomorrow.
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