A Birthday
/A BIRTHDAY
Fragile, beautiful, painful, messy, and oh so wondrous is the birth process! Advent brings us back to the reality of God Incarnate – becoming one of us – that we might realize our heritage as children of God. Four weeks to prepare for the birth of Jesus and all year to celebrate it!
What about your own birthday? Do you ever take time to ponder how fragile, beautiful, painful, messy and oh so wondrous your own birth event was? On that day you experienced some things you had never experienced before – breathing air in a new way, seeing light, and feeling the gentle touch of human hands! What new thing(s) will you do on your next birthday to keep your sense of wonder alive?
Do you look forward to your birthday? Or do you cringe and withdraw from even mentioning it? Why? Marianne Williamson says, “Each of us has a unique part to play in the healing of the world.” Can you fathom and appreciate the fact that you were chosen by God – gifted with life - to be right here, right now at this time of history, in this location, surrounded by all the gifts and blessings that have brought you to this very day?
What is your earliest memory of wondering about your purpose in life? How has that thought grown or changed? What do you feel is your specific call now? Oswald Chambers says “Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude.”
In some countries a birthday is considered a remarkable milestone – a time of major celebration for the entire village. At UCH there are people around you who love you, who care about you, who want to wish you well and thank you for being the unique person you are especially on your birthday.
Blessings as you move forward on your Faith Journey with a loving heart to celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, and to welcome with renewed gratitude the blessing of your own birthday – truly a remarkable milestone. – Jackie F.
