Where is the Love--Guest Blogger Rev. Caroline Dennis

(Spiritual Practices for Families: Giving Thanks)

Where is the Love?

In December, amidst the wrappings and the shouts of glee, we found a quiet time to come to the manger and contemplate the great Love that God sent, wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Here, as sparkling Christmas lights give way to snow and rain and ice, as gathered family gives way to bill paying and schedule keeping, how might we hold on those manger moments when we embraced the Love that embraces us?

In these more ordinary days, can we still see the light that leads us to Bethlehem, to the ordinary extraordinary places where Love shows up?

Here is my invitation to you, and to your children:

Pause... in the middle of your "what's next" life... to see, hear, touch, smell, taste... all the amazing that is right here and now. Point it out to one another like we might point out the twinkling lights on a Christmas tree. Give thanks... for the warmth of the sweater, the wag of the dog tail, the strawberry jam smile, the scent of left-overs, the call of a child who knows you can help.

Pause... to see the Love that comes to us, every day... if we are wise enough to look.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—

Psalm 103:2

Rev. Caroline Dennis is the Associate Pastor for Children and Families at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN.

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