During this fourth week of Advent, in the final days before Christmas, there seems to be so much still to do. The question today is - have you exchanged joy for your list?
I love a good list, and even better a good solid spreadsheet. It keeps me organized and keeps things tidy. But sometimes it rules me, and I need to put it away, let it go, lean into just being present. When things are overwhelming, the list is crucial - but I never want it to be the thing that receives the most of my love.
When I was at Berry College as a student, I loved thinking of our school Psalm when finals were upon us (and many other times as well). I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth says Psalm 121:1-2. I still think of it whenever I am on campus, especially on rainy days when mist lingers over the top of Lavender Mountain. I lift up my eyes to the hills.
In their song "Gravity of Love," The Brilliance says
I lift my eyes up to the hills
This my morning song
Where my strength comes from
I lift my eyes up to the hills
This my evening song
Where my help comes from
This is the gravity of love
Just as the moon follows the sun
You're all around me
You're holding everything
I especially like the version by Good Shepherd Collective and I have included it in today's newsletter. I hope it will be a message of anxiety reducing, perspective shifting, love giving hope.
This last week of Advent calls us to focus on love. May you be surrounded in it. May there be less memos and more memory making. May there be the known and felt presence of Christ in your Christmas. May you be fully present in these next few days and lean in fully to the gravity of love.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
