Lord, as we enter into the stillness where you are found, dwell in our hearts and at the heart of your world. Amen

After the drama of a birth comes a moment of calm. Amidst the struggles of the world, at the centre of Christmas we find intimacy and peace: Jesus, held – and holding.

1 Kings 19.11-12

The Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.

We can become so busy preparing for Christmas that it’s over long before the food is finished or torn wrapping paper cleared. And have we had time to be present to the most important guest of all – Jesus, the heavenly guest whose arrival on earth our Christmas celebrations mark?

Think of a guest who leaves you feeling heard, healed, replenished. My grandmother used to be like that – there for us. At the centre. The still centre. Often busy at the sink washing up or peeling potatoes – but always listening. It is only when such a guest leaves or passes on that you long for them to return. It’s in their attentiveness that you realise you are loved.

Try today to make space to be attentive – to someone who needs to be heard, to the wonder of creation, to God’s still, small voice.

When you have experienced God’s presence? Where you feel closest to God? What God might say when you really listen?