Presence: Experiencing the Nearness of God

The year ends and I share the last evening of 2018 with Program friends and my two teenagers.

I celebrate with young Lilnoe on her Baptism Day and then am surprised and grateful to be invited to a luncheon afterwards.

It's Saturday and I worked at the winery again. I told and laughed at a dumb joke told to me and which I told to others and in the laughter I experienced God's Presence.

I am happy to have an aid for my prayer and meditation here in my basement - a new cool mist diffuser.

I almost finish a novel, I listen to a novel on audiobook and I go to see the new Spidey film. And I ponder the possible multiverse.

I walk and listen to more of Trevor Noah's autobiography about growing up in South Africa and I wonder about how I am living in the bigger story of God within creation.

I celebrate Christmas 2018 with rest, relaxation, and good quiet time.

I take a nice walk on Christmas Eve Day and listen to Trevor Noah's audiobook autobiography "Born a Crime" and later celebrate Christmas Eve and reflect on how Christ was born to liberate all from whatever holds them bound.

I celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent with a new favorite Advent hymn. I've been listening to a fun version of this song performed by Sufjan Stevens.

I enjoy streaming Italian soccer and am in awe of the bridges which the internet creates. And I am troubled how some want to build walls of other types to separate and divide when clearly God desires unity and connection instead.

I watch the moving documentary "Marwencol" about a town of dolls created by an artist for healing after trauma. I reflect on how this story is similar to and different than the film "The Truman Show"

I laugh at two things - James Cordon and friends performing a rapid medley of 22 musicals and a read some great (and corny) puns. Plus - the 4th O Antiphon prayed and sung!

It's a rare sunny morning and afternoon just a couple of days before the Winter Solstice and I experience the panentheistic nature of God in the brilliant light.

My daughter turns a decade and a half and I enjoy cookies at school from parents of a special sister/brother pair of students. And it is the second O Antiphon today.

We begin the last seven days of Advent. Listen and learn about the ancient prayers offered by the Church and how they inspired the lyrics of the most significant Advent hymn of them all!

I try a unique way to listen to music and other sounds from my phone. I hear music and therefore God in a deeper, more resonate way.

I witness a first date (not my own) and experience God in the growing connection and attraction I observe. Was it a successful first date? You'll have to listen to find out!

I pray with my students on the 6th anniversary of the slaughter of 6 year olds and their teachers and share my sadness at these deaths and my anger at how little we've done to address gun violence since Dec 14, 2012.

I play for my students a song of hope by two musicians who lived in Paradise, CA.

We have our first In The Know matchday and I experience God's Presence in the fondness for these students.

I enjoy a meal and conversation - communion actually - with my dear Sister-in-law visiting from out of town.

I see important connections between a tribute to Thomas Merton on the 50th anniversary of his sudden death and insights about religion in the U.S.A. by Andrew Sullivan.

I watch the final performance of my son in his high school production of "A Christmas Carol" and reflect on it's Advent theme of transformation.

My daughter performs in a big and special dance number and I feel joy at seeing how grown up she seems while I feel a bit sad thinking of how quickly she has grown up!

My son performs in A Christmas Carol (as Narrator #5) and I am so proud of him!