God-With-Us … Give Thanks Today!

DSCN2150Last week Monday I went to my mailbox after arriving home from work.  Lo and behold, what do you think awaited me?  My first Christmas card of the season … on November 4!  Then, on Thursday I received TWO more cards!  Amazingly early!  I wonder:  how can people be so “organized” to get all their greetings out that soon?

This morning as I did my morning walk I was showered with snowflakes.  Shivery cold weather has entered the Susquehanna Valley.  Brrrrr …. Christmas cards, snowflakes, darker days:  signs of coming winter.  So soon!

The cards and the snow got me thinking about the Mystery of the Incarnation.  Emmanuel.  God-with-us.  On Saturday night I went to Mass in Robesonia and once again Fr. Mark had a marvelous homily.  As he closed his remarks, he invited us to welcome the darkness of the season.  He suggested that each evening we take up our favorite “brew” … decaf coffee, herbal tea, or “even hot chocolate” (which drew chuckles from the churchgoers) and sit in the dark, in quiet, and “just be thankful.”  Be grateful for the people who crossed your path that day.  Be grateful for food, shelter, clothing.  Be grateful for family.  For a job.  For good health.  For hope.  Be grateful for another day of life.  Be grateful for those who have gone before us in the faith.  “Just be thankful.”

As the cold and darkness settle around me, I give thanks this day.  I’ve been sitting in the dark Sunday and Monday night, drinking my “sleepy time tea” and recalling the blessings of the day.  I invite you to do the same as we head toward Thanksgiving.  Jesus is incarnate once again … God-with-us dwells in you and me.  Where have you seen this Mystery today?  How has Incarnation blessed you?

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4 Comments

  1. Teri on November 12, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    What a great idea for a new routine to sit in the dark, be quiet with our favorite brew and be thankful. I can never take enough time to be thankful. . .



    • Sr. Susan Maria Kusz on November 12, 2013 at 8:24 pm

      Same here! In reading up on “sin” as I walk with someone through Ignatius’ First Week of the Spiritual Exercises, one definition of “sin” that I came across was simply “ingratitude.” If we were truly, deeply grateful, we could never sin, the author said. Consider that! Pretty amazing. So, let’s be grateful indeed!



  2. Sr. Donna on November 12, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    Thanks for the thoughts as we head into what can be such a depressing time–darkness coming so soon in the evening. I will pass on this peaceful practice on.



  3. Mary Miller on November 12, 2013 at 10:35 pm

    Sister Suzie, this is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. It sound like a perfect way to pray, without distractions and in beautiful harmony with our creator. I am going to try this tonight. God bless you now and always.