When I was a little girl one of the fun activities at Christmas time was searching out hidden presents. I don’t know why, it just seemed to be “in” my sister and brother and I to want to discover early what our Christmas presents might be. However, I remember also the mixed feelings of elation upon finding hidden gifts, yet disappointment at the same time because there would be no surprise on Christmas morning. As a parent I also hid our children’s gifts carefully – only to discover they too would often search out the hidden treasures. It seems to be an innate thing in children – Find the Presents!
Now that I am an adult (most days), I find myself, like a child, seeking out again for what often seems like a hidden gift. Only this time it is not boxes wrapped with brightly colored seasonal paper and bows – but it is something much greater. Now my seeking is for the Presence – the Presence of the Lord, that is!
In the Book of Exodus we read about such magnificent displays of the Presence of God! There was a glorious cloud all day that protected and lead the Israelites on their journey and there was a pillar of fire by night that showed them the way as they traveled in darkness. The Presence of the Lord was in the midst of the mountain that shook with the voice of the Lord. That same Presence of God was in the Ark of the Covenant, an elaborately fashioned box made of gold inside and out. In all of these symbols of the Lord’s Presence we notice that the people of God were required to respond to and to follow after that Presence. As they obeyed they were blessed.
But where is the Presence of God today? Are we seeking Him and following after Him as the Hebrew children did? As for me, seeking the Holy Presence of the Lord is my number one desire. I am not interested in Christmas packages hidden in a closet. I am looking for the Christ of Christmas. I am searching and seeking Him with all my heart, mind, and strength. It is Jesus, and His radiance which comes wrapped in His abiding Presence that I want to know and experience.
I search for Him in our home. I look for Him in our church. I seek Him in special meetings and I gaze at Him as I journey this road of life. The Word of God says that if I seek Him with my whole heart I will find Him - Deuteronomy 4:29. Yes, I find Him in the written words of the Bible. Yes, I find Him in times of worship and praise, but more and more I am also finding Him – His Presence - in the everyday events of my life. I may not have the golden Ark of the Covenant with its mercy seat and the covering cherubims to feast my physical eyes upon. But, with the eyes of my spirit being sharpened to see, and the ears of my spirit being tuned to hear – I am experiencing the Presence of the Loving Christ in my life today - a little more each day….
Like a child unwrapping Christmas presents under the tree, with each one unwrapped and appreciated, there is a looking for the next one and the next. The excitement builds. So too is my excitement in the Lord increasing with each time I am wrapped up in His Presence. How He causes me to hunger for more. Hunger for the Lord touches His heart. It invites Him to come and to abide with us in our lives, our homes, our churches, our towns, in a very special way. He does not want to be hidden from me or from you.
This Holiday season, why not put off childish ways as Paul enjoined us to do. (I Cor. 13:11). Instead, with a child-like heart, seek His Presence rather than the presents. He is the gift of Christmas. He is the gift that “keeps on giving”. Let us seek Him with all our heart, mind, and strength, knowing that He desires to reveal His loving, tangible, abiding Presence to us every day! In Him there will be no disappointments, because, unlike the hidden Christmas presents, once discovered, leaves us wanting on Christmas morning – or the opening of presents under the tree comes to an end – the Presence of the Lord – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit can be experienced and enjoyed EVERY MORNING and every minute of every day! Let us be like children with a new cry in our hearts….
Find the Presence!
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