
Image by pikisuperstar on Freepik
When we arrive at our destination,
wherever that may be;
our workplace, our home, the local shop or park,
a friend’s house, a church gathering or a party,
we bring something of ourselves.
Sometimes we also bring a physical gift;
some flowers or chocolates,
a bottle of wine,
a homemade cake,
or a side dish to accompany the meal
we are about to share.
We can also bring the gift of self.
The gift of being present with another.
Through the words we speak,
and through the care and attention we show,
we can be a gift to another.
But we may not always be the
gift we would want to be.
Our ability to be present to another
can be hampered by things we are carrying.
Some of this will be the stuff of the day;
a mistake or a mishap,
a failing, or a shortcoming,
a misunderstanding or an unkind word.
Some of what we carry
runs deeper,
baggage we have been carrying for a while
that has started to weigh us down.
At the start of this Advent I invite you to notice;
notice what you are bringing with you.
As you go into a new situation
is there anything you are bringing
that you need to leave behind?
And when you have entrusted
what you have been carrying
with your heavenly Father
ask if there is anything He would like you to bring?
How would He like you to bring his good news
with those you will be with in your day?
We will explore this more
as we journey through Advent together.