11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.                                                                                                1 Kings 19:11-12

Dear Friends: 

Advent is expecting the very best of us this year. We’re called to embrace Peace. We’re reminded that Peace is the experience of tranquility; the freedom from commotion and disruption. C.S. Lewis writes in Mere Christianity, “It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in…” Peace is the sound of sheer quiet. 

But, in our world today, we’ve become accustomed to noise. We go places expecting to hear clamoring with volumes that result in our yelling across to one another to be heard while enjoying a dinner out. Just the other day, while sitting in a large room designed for folks to be quiet, one woman insisted on conducting her business on the phone for all to hear. A room filled with at least twenty-five people could hear every word the woman had to say about the deal she was trying to close. What I observed in her noise was the anxiety level of folks rising. One person was ready to get in her face and tell her to take it outside. Another slowly slid down in her chair and covered her head with her coat. Several people plugged in their earbuds. Too often our noise is hard to hear. 

Are we able to discern what to hear? In Matthew’s gospel appointed for Sunday, John the Baptist sends word from prison to Jesus as he doubts, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus responds, “…report to John what you hear…” I wonder if too often, in our abundance of noise, we fail to hear what Jesus invites us to hear. The good news of Christ in our lives to bring the healing wholeness of peace. The joy of listening to Jesus over the words of doubt and despair. Because, in our world today, peace can be overcome by noise. So much so that over the years, literally hundreds of anti-noise organizations have popped up in protest against the noise of leaf blowers, airport racket, railroad raucous, highway noise and piped in music to name a few. Noise Free America boast 51 chapters across the country.

It seems there is good noise and not so good noise. I imagine for most of us, the rolling waves of the ocean recollect for us a sound of deep peace. We know as well that sea animals in particular are known to contribute to the peaceful oceanic movement through their particular sounds. Throughout the decades, scientists are learning that the disruption of the ocean’s harmonious sounds through various sea vessels, ship propellers, and ocean drilling is harmful to the creatures of the sea. Through all the manufactured ocean noise the creatures cannot hear sounds or make the necessary sounds needed to communicate and protect themselves. Consequently, the sea animals become endangered as their peaceful environs become dangerous enclaves for noise. Our own world is no different from the sea creatures. Through our prayerful, soulful sounds, we come to know God’s peace for us. But, unwanted, constant noise has proven to not only effect our hearing, but our health and the wellness of all of God’s creation. So, how to find quiet that results in peace?

How about during this Advent season we block off just one or two hours every other day and unplug from our devices. Put our headsets in a drawer. Turn off the radios and the screen and just sit in the holiness of the quiet. Listen for God’s peace to envelope us.  

Tonight from 7:00-7:45 stop by Room #120 and rest in the quiet of Centering Prayer. 

On Saturday, Parish Work Day is always an invitation for peaceful quiet.  Sunday, we’ll gather for the peace that passes all understanding as God works miracles in the gift of the Christmas Pageant in 10:00 a.m. worship.  Centering Prayer continues again at 5:30 p.m.  Down the hall, Parent Support Group meets from 5:00-7:00 p.m., grateful for the quiet found throughout the precious sounds of the children.  

Carve out quiet. God is there, to bring you peace.

Blessings,

Hillary