How?

I should spend all of Advent in the woods or in the swamp or maybe even just in my backyard. Or some combination thereof. Why?

I know how to prepare for a class or a lecture. I know that when I’m about to lead worship or teach a class or go to sleep, I need and have developed rituals of preparation.

But in Advent, “prepare” takes on larger meaning. How might I, and we, prepare for the coming of Divine Love?

First, let’s remember that God is–and was–already here. Incarnation is not limited to the birth of Jesus–although that was certainly a moment in God’s and human time! But if we think that’s all there is to it, then incarnation is firmly fixed (trapped?) in history.

So, second, I recommend turning to what Richard Rohr, OFM, calls the “first bible,” specifically Creation. Because Divine Love is hiding there, ready to teach us.

BTW, a spider lurks in the grass. Do you see it? Look again.