Setting out to journey towards God this Advent means keeping our eyes and ears-and all our senses- alert to his presence. I have been pondering on the experience of those two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were journeying in sadness, confusion and uncertainty-and perhaps we can identify with those emotions in our life and most certainly in our world today. But someone came to journey with them. They did not recognise the stranger but when he talked to them, when he walked with them, they found new hope, new understanding, new joy. It was only when, much later, as he sat and broke bread with them that they realised that Jesus himself was their travelling companion.
As we travel through Advent may we be alert to God speaking to us, journeying with us. He may come in all sorts of unexpected ways-in the chance meeting, the smile of a stranger, a line of a song or a poem that keeps returning, a sunset or evening star. As you look back over the day can you see signs of his presence? How might you become more aware of God alongside you?
“By this time, they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” Luke 24 v 29-31
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