Dear friends in Christ,
When was the last time you adored someone?
Adoration feels vaguely embarrassing in our culture. It’s acceptable, perhaps, to adore a baby;
as children get older, however, we are supposed to be more measured, more thoughtful. In
romantic relationships, adoration is for the naïve early days. Adoration is not seen as a sign of a
mature relationship.
And adoration of God? A nice idea, perhaps, but we are often too busy with other things—with
earning money and paying bills, with soccer games or dentist appointments. Adoration is a
luxury for other people, people presumably holier than we are.
But adoration is the invitation of this moment. And it is the invitation for everyone—for you
and me alike.
Our catechism describes adoration as a form of prayer: “Adoration is the lifting up of the heart
and mind to God, asking nothing but to enjoy God's presence.” Christmas is the one time of
year when I see people ready to do this. Standing in front of the creche, kneeling to sing “Silent
Night,” looking quietly at the cold, bright stars. We are able to stop and simply be glad that we
are in God’s world and God’s hands.
My prayer for you—for all of us—is that we will be able to adore Jesus in this season. We have
no task other than receiving the gift of love. We have no work beyond learning to love in return.
Yours in Christ,
Anne+