Second Week of Advent, Sunday: Where Divine Love Enters

In the Heart of Winter: A Meditator’s Guide to Advent

And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them at the inn. -Luke 2:7

A great inspiration from the Christmas story is that against all odds, the miracle of the birth occurs. Despite the implausibility of its beginning, despite the misgivings and frailties of the human beings involved, despite the harried circumstances, the miraculous birth occurs and divine love is revealed in the Christ child. A child whose very being declares: God is with us! Emmanuel. This birth signifies the awakened spiritual consciousness that knows, that realizes God is with us; God is our life. It is the revelation of conscious oneness.

It is fitting that this divine birth occurs in the most humble place. Humility naturally fosters openness to divine grace and its healing power. When we have done all that we can, and remain open to divine power beyond our personal effort, we are truly transformed by the healing we experience. We can then declare based on our personal experience: God is with us. We know that only God could accomplish such a thing. Our consciousness is forever transformed by such healings.

Divine love finds its way into our lives in the places where we are not filled with pride but where we are open and vulnerable. At times, the part of our life or our selves that we reject, that which is most in need of healing, becomes a likely place for love to enter in. The Christmas story reminds us that the power of love is greater than all of our imperfections. It will prevail over all our difficulties. With the image of the child leading the way, we are encouraged to trust and to be open to what can occur through grace, God’s supportive influence at work in our lives and our world. .

Practice:

The Christmas story provides us with a powerful teaching and inspiration about the presence of God moving through the world, unstopped by any obstacle. Metaphysically, “no room at the inn” symbolizes a restless mind, too full of thought activity to perceive the inner Christ. There is no room for divine revelation.

Make room for divine consciousness to be revealed in your mind and in your life by meditating. Sit quietly and intend to experience your essential spiritual nature that is beyond words and thoughts, beyond all limits and conditions. Let your restless thoughts settle. Allow the peace of the soul to arise and the inner light of truth to be born in you.

Contemplate:

Effortlessly,
Love flows from God
into all people,
like a bird
who rivers the air
without moving her wings.
-Mechthild of Magdeburg

Reflect:

Grace is divine support that is unmerited, freely provided for all. There are times we experience it and times we remain unaware of it. We live by grace.

Ask: Can I become more receptive to divine grace? How can I welcome divine love today?