The View From Here

December 7, 2023

by Rev. Adam Blons

“Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.”

– from “A Blessing for Presence” by John O’Donahue 

The holidays often come with expectations to go and be present with others.  Family gatherings, work and school gatherings, social gatherings, and church gatherings vie for our attention.   But we all know that just because you attend something doesn’t mean you are really present while there. I noticed at a recent family gathering that there were times I was very present and others when I checked out.  In some gatherings, this is self-protective and necessary.  Not all relationships are easy to be present in. 

In this Advent season, our theme is The Gift of Being Present, and it invites us to reflect on what we are present to and within this beautiful and busy season.  It also invites us to remember that our presence is also a gift.  When was the last time you spent time being present with yourself?  How do you feel in your own presence?  What undiscovered “immensity” might be found in your own presence?  In this season, we celebrate how God’s expansive presence can be found in small things and in each moment.   While the world around us is now racing towards Christmas, Advent keeps inviting us to slow down, pause, and awaken to the mysteries of presence, our own and God’s, right here and right now, just as we are, where we are.  May it be so for you.