Hennie Symington

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1:18

Question? Where will you be journeying to during the Christmas season? Those who are fortunate enough to have a “huisie by die see” will spend it in blissfully enjoying the sea, the sky, the beach and the braais. Others might venture overseas to enjoy a white Christmas with Santa Claus calling the tune and “Joy to the world!” accompanying you on your shopping sprees around the world. Blissful indeed! But is it? Do these forays into the jungle of shops and malls and holiday resorts bring us any closer to the “Child in a manger”? What does all of this have to do with the One who came to save us from this treadmill of searching for more exciting adventures, more stuff to satisfy our material needs?

Why not take the plunge and venture into unchartered territory this Christmas? All expenses paid! Join me on a journey with a difference, a journey to the furthest reaches of your soul where your secret sins have gathered like dust in the attic. Venture out on a journey where you’ve lost your way on the many highways and byways of the kind of lives we lead. All you need to do to undertake this journey is to be silent.

It is a journey into the deepest, most distant places of your emotions which have become hardened to the suffering of others. It could be a trip to the arid wastelands of your soul where the truth has long been discarded along the way as excess baggage. It could even be an expedition to the darkest regions of your heart where your faith has become entangled in lush growth that keeps you from seeing the simplicity of God's message. It might even be a trip to islands of solitude where you got lost looking for yourself.

Prayer: Christ, you invite me to join you on a journey back to the simplicity of the manger where the invisible becomes visible and the improbable probable. Holy Spirit, you invite me on a journey to the Father. Travel with me so I may freely experience the greatest wonder of the universe – God incarnate. Amen