Advent 3 – Joy in the Ordinary
By Jo-Anne Berthelsen
Each Christmas for several years, I have visited a nearby nursing home with a group of singers to entertain the residents there with carols and other songs. I am the pianist for the group and always feel particularly responsible on these visits to ensure I play everything well. Some of the singers, let alone those listening and joining in when invited, can become a little confused at times, so everything needs to run as smoothly as possible.
The first time I took on this role, I arrived early, to give me time to check out the venue and organise my music. Even though some residents were already seated there waiting, I decided to play a few of the carols softly to try out the keyboard in the room. I was not in performance mode – I stopped and started and tried various different tones and settings as I played – but that did not make any difference to those present. As soon as they heard even a line of a carol they recognised, they would sing along loudly, unabashed at how they sounded. They were enjoying it all so much, even those who seemed somewhat unaware of where they were, that I did not have the heart to stop. Each time I glanced up, I would see someone smiling broadly, joy written all over their face when they remembered the words without faltering once. As I continued playing, I wondered what memories were surfacing in their hearts and minds. And, gradually, I became aware of a sweet, calming presence in the room – the presence of Jesus, I believe, reaching out to each one, enjoying the moment with them, stirring childhood memories of firm faith in his loving care once again.
What a lesson to experience these moments of sweet joy in the midst of my very ordinary, unpolished practice time! And how wonderful too to sense Jesus’ comforting presence and his delight in each simple word these older folk managed to sing! To me, it was a sacred moment indeed – and one I decided I needed to experience on a daily basis as I headed home to face the various Christmas chores awaiting me.
Since then, I have discovered we truly can find similar little, sacred moments in our lives each day, even – or especially – in the busyness of the Christmas season. How precious it can be to stop what we are doing, even for only a few moments, still our hearts, focus our minds once more on Jesus our Saviour, God become flesh for us, and experience deep, authentic joy rising up in us as the Spirit fills us afresh! In that instant, as we sense Jesus’ close presence with us, it is as if our spirits are reset. Once again, we are assured that we are God’s much-loved children. that Jesus is right there with us and will never leave us. What greater joy could we ever experience at Christmas – or any time – than that?
Father God, as this Christmas approaches, may your Spirit prompt us to find those moments in the midst of our ordinary lives when we can stop, reset with you, remember why you sent your Son Jesus to us and rejoice from the depths of our hearts. May your joy then overflow from us to bless others too and draw them closer to you. Amen
God Moments
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