Beloved,
There is a secret in your midst.
The secret is wonderful.
Powerful. Everlasting.
Are you ready?
Here it is…
The Christmas story is actually
your story. My story.
Yes. It’s true.

I know how easy it is to go through days
nearly numb to our actions. We neatly stack
our bricks, align our shoes, swallow our food whole.
We follow the good, the right, the status quo—
Because after all, this is how it’s done,
this is what we’ve learned.
Us, rule followers, brick stackers.
You and I, we’ve never imagined it differently.

But here’s the thing,
the story of Christ’s birth is not
some ancient, one time tale we revisit yearly for rote ritual.
No, this story is too good, too true, too fantastic
to be bored by. This story has the power
to awaken, to transform, to change our hearts.
I tell you—
Do not be afraid.

I know you want safety.
Others to approve of you.
Control of the situation. Me too.
But dear one, I also know you’ve felt the
same buzzing sensation I’ve felt. 
The one that urges you to
to try something new, to give up the desire
for people’s approval, to let go of your clinging.
But fear. Fear rises.
Whispering it’s insistence to keep you safe—
Safe from water. From wind. From Earth. And fire.
Especially fire.

Ding dong. Someone is at your door.
Who could it be?
Presence is here!
“Do not be afraid,”
Presence calmly states.
You hear,
“Let it come as it comes.”
This hearing—
revelation—
this aha moment—
opens you in a new way.

This here. This moment is the Christ story in you.
My friend,
what is conceived in you is of the Holy Spirit.
Questions will come.
Let them.
Emotions will roll.
Of course.
Enemies will ignite.
Indeed.
Unknown territory will cause angst.
Encouragement will arise on your path.
Birth pains will come.
Do not be afraid.

Continue to feed this new life in you.
As you do,
a holy desire rises up
flames dance high
heat rises to an inferno
causing ash to flitter away
allowing new love to be
delivered into the world
created by you plus Spirit.

Precious pilgrim,
Hear the call this day,
you are being asked to birth new life into the world.
Do not be afraid.
Let it come as it comes.

Amen.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! I will be taking a bit of a break and will return in January for more creative musings! Have a blessed Christmas. Peace, Ally