Imagination
Our parish Adult Education committee chose “All Creation Waits” by Gayle Boss as it’s Advent Study. I decided to join the group discussion last night as I have been taken with the book. I find that it slows me down and for a short while takes me inside the life of the animals I mostly just watch throughout the year in my backyard. We are introduced to their remarkable survival skills, their creativity and tenacity as they try to make it through the winter. In doing so, we can see how in the darkest of time, (the shortest of days), the brilliance of God is still enabling each of us to take part in all of creation.
During our discussion, I couldn’t help but notice that there was a bit of lack of Christian imagination. Our facilitator tried to pull us in so as to connect with the Advent message but there were some in the group that would pull her back because they simply couldn’t “go there” when really, there was just their imagination. Afterward, my friend and I were discussing the session and wondering if people really “got” Advent.
I don’t know, do we?
Do we understand that it is about preparing ourselves to make room in a new way for our Savior?
IN A NEW WAY….
FOR OUR SAVIOR.
We definitely give it a lot of lip service, that’s for sure. But when push comes to shove aren’t we just going through the same routine?
For me, this book called me into a deeper imagination, a stronger connection with all of creation. I am not the only creature trying to get through the Northeastern brutal winter. I, who has the benefit of shelter, food and companionship.
Further, since God created all things, all creatures for the purpose of glorifying him, what makes us think that they too aren’t awaiting the Promised One. I think it is safe to say that just because we think we know about an animal’s cognition, doesn’t mean we always do. We are learning everyday, through research, just how much we don’t know about the natural world. We take it for granted, we act as though it is only here to serve us. When in reality, we are called to hold it sacred.
It is an overwhelming thought to have to hold ALL of creation sacred. It means that consuming less on every level is required. It means that as we burrow, store, and save to make sure we have enough for those months, we also have to be open to sharing our savings with others.
But I think we can be reasonable here. I think that the season of Advent is all about trust. Trusting God, the God we cannot see, to always have our souls best interest in mind. It means listening and learning to follow God’s will even when we don’t understand it. It means using what we have been given, the gifts intended to serve him, the skills and talents, to better prepare for the moment when we are called to take part in his plan.
It isn’t easy. As the animals in the book show us, it is constant work, it is constant attention to stay alive,to be awake, to be ready for whatever will try to undermine that which God is working in us during this season. But what the animals also show us is that, like the Black bear, life can take hold in our rest. As the rabbit stills itself while remaining alert, we too can manifest a stillness in our spirit that shows that we trust this magnificent God of ours.
