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Christmas Message
December 2013
Welcoming Our Angels, cont'd
The Rev. Peter J. Miano
Advent is wonderful, because it reminds us and gives us license to see with
our hearts and our imaginations and not only with our eyes. It may involve
much that looks a lot like frivolity, but then again, maybe frivolity is more
serious than it seems. I think we need it and thank God we have it at least
during this magical season if not throughout the year. I would much rather
deal with the liabilities of excessive sentimentality than never have had
the experience of giving in to it. For me, getting carried away by the contents
of the human imagination is far more preferable than to never have imagined
at all or not nearly enough. I welcome the angels and other fantastic figures
that populate our lives at this time of the year, not only for what they signify,
i.e., the presence and power of the Divine in human life, not only because
they vivify spiritual reality, but also because they awaken a sense of wonder.
Our angels invite us to dwell in mystery and stir our spiritual imaginations.
Whether we take advantage of it or not, the season is an invitation to renew
the yearning of our souls to return to communion with God. We don’t
do this with formulas and treatises. We do it in awe, in the awakening of
wonder and in celebration of mystery. The medium can only be story.
Maybe Advent and Christmastide
are so welcome each year in spite of the hectic pace of preparations, because
it is a time when we can again entertain angels and elves. Maybe we welcome
angels into our lives each year during advent because we know how bereft we
are without them. Whatever other reasons for joy and celebration you find
this season, may you have this one also: may you make room for mystery and
wonder. May you welcome your angels.
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Albert Einstein