Are We There Yet?

Anybody who has ever traveled with a child (or been a child who has traveled) is familiar with that most insistent, expectant, hope-laden question: Are we there yet? Those simple, eager, sometimes desperate words are filled with anticipation, yearning, desire. All too often, the answer is "no." And when the query has been made multiple times, the "no" may be curt, sharp, lacking in warmth.

Happily, none of that will be going on today. As we complete our Advent journey, and ask the question, "Are we there yet?" the answer is a joyful "just about" -- if we're thinking of tonight's candlelight services and tomorrow's festivities (and service!). But if we're thinking about something more elemental - God's presence -- then the answer is "Yes!" We're in God's presence, indeed, we've been there all along, because God, motivated by and defining love, came searching us out, each of us and all of us, so long ago.

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