I love these words of Franciscan theologian Ilia Delio which turns things on their head. We tend to think so much about our waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus – or even for the Second coming that we don’t see that other great truth - that God is already in our midst. Ilia also puts it this way: “As we sing of waiting and longing for Christ’s coming, stretching our hearts into God’s promise of a Messiah, a Saviour, are we
waiting for something that does not yet exist or are we waiting for something that already exists in a hidden way?"
Perhaps Advent is a time that challenges us to wake up. To become more aware that beneath the surface realities of our lives is a great mystery to which we are mostly asleep. Some may be completely unaware in a coma-like slumber which others may waken for brief moments and then fall asleep again.
What can help us wake up and become more attuned to the deeper reality of Emmanuel – God with us?
Perhaps one way is to slow down and notice. To see God present and active - in nature in people, in the circumstances of our everyday lives. To approach each day as an opportunity to discover more of the mystery of God in Christ who chose to enter into our world and our experience. And who is present to us in every moment.
