Awake
Time to wake up, friends.
The idea of waking is misplaced at this time of year and it was misplaced in Jesus’s day, too. We do not wake up in late fall or winter. We hibernate. Like bears. Waking is for springtime.
But not in this story. In this story, a rose blooms in the cold dead of winter. And for my money, this is the best Advent and Christmas song you’re going to find:
Life has always played in the teeth of death. And while have to be careful, I think, of the exploitative inspiration addictions — single stories of hope and survival that emerge from horror and that prevent us from looking at the horror fully — I think it is our job to recognize life where it erupts unexpectedly, like a concert bursting forth from stagnant rock formations:
My favorite line in this song is:
For you were made to meet your maker
That notion is simultaneously dark or depressing and life-giving. A few years ago, my theatre company did an Advent/Christmas concert where we sung the chorus of the song with that lyric in it. A bright blue cloth wrapped itself around an actor-singer playing Mary and a little bundle of cloth representing the Christ child. That baby was meant to meet its maker, too.
For now, that’s what being awake can mean. Life, springing forth from death, on its way to death, and on its way to new life once again.
Meditation
Find a peaceful space, and consider playing "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" softly. As you close your eyes and breathe deeply, focus on the concept of awakening. Reflect on your spiritual journey – the awakening of your soul to a deeper understanding, a higher purpose, and a more profound connection with the divine.
Contemplate the lyrics, inviting you to be part of a sacred narrative. Let this meditation be an exploration of what it means for your soul to wake up – to live consciously, to see clearly, and to love with an open heart.
Examen
Recall moments in your life that felt like an awakening. How did these experiences transform your understanding of yourself?
Reflect on the song "Awake My Soul" by Mumford and Sons and "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming." How do these songs speak to your journey of spiritual awakening?
Identify any barriers to your awakening. What steps can you take during Advent to overcome these challenges?