The Gift of Silence and Solitude

We’re already rolling into December, and it’s 21 days until we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who is “Immanuel, God with us,” (Isaiah 7:14).  No doubt, you’re still reeling from the aftermath of Thanksgiving - the food, the travel, and large group gatherings. Perhaps you’re wondering how you will survive this beautiful Christmas season as you write your lengthy to-do list. If so, keep reading.

Have you noticed lately how we seem to skip right over Thanksgiving and move right into Christmas lights and decorations along with store displays and carols?  While I love all the festivities declaring the birth of Jesus, I also want us to be mindful of our heritage as a nation, and God’s providential hand in the formation of this New World we call home. I love how Redeemer teaches the story of these brave Pilgrims who courageously journeyed across the Atlantic seeking a better life and religious freedom from the church of England. The Pilgrims also believed they might evangelize the Native Americans, and as Governor Bradford wrote, “propagate the Gospel of Christ.” 

And now, as we focus on Christmas, you probably do so with great anticipation and joy, or weariness and angst, or somewhere in between. I want to challenge you to give yourself a gift – a gift of silence and solitude. Perhaps you have already established this daily rhythm. If not, give yourself the gift of 30 minutes each day for the following:

• Find a quiet place and come away from the busyness of your day. Sit quietly. Reflect on the goodness and character of God. Perhaps this is early morning before the children are awake or when some are at school, and the baby is napping. If you find this difficult, pray and ask the Father to provide you with time to silence your heart and soak in His love. 

• Read a passage of Scripture – perhaps the Psalms, the Gospels, or the Epistles.

• Pour out your heart to the Lord. Rather than expressing your concerns to a friend, take your cares to the One Who tenderly cares for you, your “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6).

• Instead of being the mama or daddy of your children, be the child of your heavenly Father.  Allow Him to refresh and refuel your emotional and spiritual tank. Rather than leaking emotional discord on those you love most, take your burdens to Jesus, and allow Him to comfort and restore you with His love and His Word.

• In this silent place, reflect on the magnificent Gospel story: God sending Jesus to reconcile a lost world to Himself. He was born as a baby, to die as a Savior to redeem us from eternal separation from God. Have you put your faith in Him for the forgiveness of sin, trusting in His death on the cross as payment for your sin-debt? 

As you spend time in silence and solitude, focus on what Jesus said to His disciples in Mark 6:31, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”  Many were coming and going, and they (the disciples) had no leisure even to eat. Sound familiar? 

This gift of time with Jesus will bless you and those closest to you. I’ve heard it said, “We become what we behold.”  As we gaze upon the Christ child during this Advent season, may we become a reflector of another name for Jesus, the “ Light of the World” (John 8:12), and may the light of Jesus shine brightly in us because we have fixed our gaze on “Immanuel, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).