Contemplative Christmas

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Advent: Love, Day 5

Reading:

“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me.” [1]

Reflection:

“Knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“Doris.”

“Doris who?”

“Doris locked, that’s why I’m knocking!”

There is a painting in many churches of Jesus standing at a door, knocking. The door has no outside handle so Jesus can only enter if the person behind the door opens it for him. It is a visual portrayal of Revelation 3:20: “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking.” He assures us that if we open the door and let him in, he will abide with us. Jesus cannot enter, however, without a willing invitation and an open door. The Love of God is freely given and can only be received freely.

Likewise, the Christ-child cannot enter into us without our intentional, conscious invitation and desire to receive it. In order to receive the Christ, however, changes to our lives are required. Both Jesus and John the Baptist told their followers to repent, which means to change. When our days are filled with distractions and earthly obligations, there is no space for transformation to occur. We must willingly release that which holds us back to create space for the Christ to fill.

Closing Meditation:

Reflect on the activities in your life that stand in the way of opening the door for Christ. How could you rearrange your obligations to make space for a conscious awareness of Emmanuel?

Journal the thoughts and feelings that arise.

This daily series, Contemplative Christmas, is replacing my weekly Life Notes until January 6, 2025, when my weekly blog will resume. The thoughts expressed here are mine. To engage with me: ghildenbrand@outlook.com.

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[1] Revelation 3:20-21