the gift within.
Do you know about the season of Advent, the time of sacred waiting in the Church? It reminds me of how young mothers and fathers await the birth of a child. They quickly become attuned to how fast the body, mind and emotions undergo changes during pregnancy. The first trimester is full of the awe and wonder of this brand-new miracle happening, and especially about the growing baby’s safety. During the first trimester (first 12 weeks), the most dramatic changes and development occur during the baby’s growth, from embryo to organ development to fetus. During the second trimester (13 to 27 weeks), the baby begins to build weight, and those cute kicking movements begin to appear, bringing much delight! The last trimester (28 weeks to birth) marks the final stage of anticipation: the fetus grows larger, gains weight, strengthens its organs, and prepares for birth. The woman’s body and emotions during these months undergo rapid changes also, as the baby receives his or her nourishment through the mother.
I still remember my own pregnancy, several decades ago. My entire pregnancy was like an extended Advent! I was fortunate that I didn’t experience “morning sickness,” and I didn’t feel any physical symptoms other than fatigue. My growing baby took all of my energy, leaving me exhausted at the end of the day! Physical birthing pains didn’t kick in until delivery day, but birthing “anticipation” settled in strongly early in my pregnancy. The feeling I remember most was more emotional and spiritual than physical: an extreme closeness to my baby, unconditional gratitude, and a deep awareness of the presence of God.
I imagine Mother Mary, in experiencing her own miraculous pregnancy, also felt a deep, abiding sense of God’s presence. What was growing inside of her was none other than a miracle, the Christ, and her body was the home, the temple, for this amazing new baby growing in her body.
Our bodies are like hers, too, in a way. Our bodies are the homes for the spirit within us that was birthed on our actual birth day. Our bodies are the temples for the spirit inside of us that longs for union with God (“yoga” in Sanskrit.)
The miraculous birth of Christ that we celebrate on Christmas Day is a celebration of the greatest magnitude, the greatest gift of God’s presence among us. As our hearts long for communion with divine presence, it serves us well to remember that God is birthing something new within us too—perhaps a deeper connection to Spirit, or a renewed heart filled with wonder and awe, and maybe even a heart that is willing to keep trying, to keep connecting with others because our hearts want human connection at their deepest level.
At the deepest level, the true essence within us is waiting to be birthed, to be discovered, to be awakened to. Just as for Mary, this Advent time in the Church is set apart for us to attend to the growth happening within us as we wait for the coming of the Christ child. It is a wonderful, inspiring and miraculous time.
To tap into this beautiful, sacred rhythm and discover what God is doing within you, you can be intentional in these ways:
1. Create time. Set aside a special time in each day to be in the presence of God. Early morning is a perfect time, right before sunrise, to tap into the energy of the sun rising and the earth energy in the stillness of early dawn. Take 10 or 20 minutes to be present to God gazing at you. Early evening or near bedtime is also a great time to slow down and be present to God in the moment, and to reflect on how God was present to you in your day. In whose face did you see the face of God today?
2. Create space. Create a special, sacred place in your home where you can be alone with God. Create a sacred altar with special items that bring you into the awareness of God—icons, incense, prayer beads, crystals, singing bowl, seashells, candles—so that when your eyes take them in, your heart sings.
3. Be Still. Rest back in quiet awareness. Stillness brings the ability to be silent. Practicing yogic breathing helps to still the physical body and increase awareness of the energy body.
4. Be Quiet. In silent awareness, the sounds and rhythm of the breath help to quiet the mind. I use the silent mantra or sacred word, Maranatha, which means “Come Lord” in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, to keep my mind from wandering. When the mind starts up again, go back to your mantra.
5. Listen. Using breath and the sacred word to quiet the mind, a sense of peace and contentment begins to flow. Here is where we become aware of divine presence and tap into wisdom ways. Listen in the silence. Notice what comes, let it go, and keep listening.
6. Be Grateful. As you listen, open your heart to the gift of Holy Presence. Deep listening in the presence of God opens the chakras, particularly the heart chakra. Bring attention to the heart chakra and notice any sensations. Rest in grateful awareness. This is all gift. God is here. God is everywhere.
The miracle of the sacred birth is the Christmas gift that satisfies our hearts. The gift is within us and around us, now—we simply have to awaken to it.
This is the season to join with Mary and celebrate the miracle of giving birth to the discovery of our true essence, with the Christ child leading the way.
Peace, namaste,
Gena+
