Contemplation of Christ.

If we wish to take part in this Advent and Christmas event,
then we cannot simply be bystanders or onlookers,
as if we were at the theater,
enjoying all the cheerful images.
No, we ourselves are swept up into the action there,
into this conversion of all things.
We have to play our part too on this stage.
For the spectator
is already an actor.
He cannot withdraw.
…we cannot approach his manger
as if it were the cradle of any other child.
Those who wish to come to his manger
find that something is
happening within them.



- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from The Mystery of Holy Night

An inspired work of art - a painting or a poem - reaches out to us and into us, to question, enlighten, and inspire. A great story draws us into itself and discloses the deeper drama of life. Stories shape us when we recognize part of our own story in them. (Brackley, p. 73)

In the next steps of our journey we turn to consider Jesus, the One who calls us.

But how can we know Jesus? He walked the earth two thousand years ago. Some in our contemporary culture speak of having a "personal relationship with Jesus," but this makes many of us uncomfortable. How do we even begin to have a relationship with this Jesus - let alone walk alongside him as a friend?

One way that Ignatius suggests we might do this is by taking one of the Gospel stories and imagining ourselves inside of it. Find a few quiet moments sometime in your day - like with the Examen from last week. Then, instead of sifting through your thoughts and feelings, enter into the Gospel story and see what you find there.

The Ignatian method suggests several steps to guide this exercise.

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Pause in silence before beginning the prayer. Remember that you are loved by God. Imagine this love as the warmth of the sun upon your back.

Ask that God would lead you in the way that God would have you go, that your whole prayer be directed toward the service of God's project.

Imagine the story slowly. Allow it to unfold in your imagination. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? In your mind's eye, look around, and take it all in. As the events of the story unfold, pay special attention to the people. What are they saying? What are they doing? Pause wherever you need to.

Speak to Jesus about what's going on inside you as you watch this scene unfold. What are you doing in the scene? Are you a bystander? Do you relate especially to any of the people or any of the groups of people? Express this all to Jesus. Listen for his response.

Ask Jesus for what you want: to know him better. Remember that the goal of the exercise is not to obtain "answers," but to grow in relationship with Christ.

Close with a prayer of thanksgiving.

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There are other ways to think about this kind of prayer if you don't find this language helpful - other examples can be found here or on this site where someone has written out his prayers for you to see them.

Finally, must close by confessing that when I first tried this kind of prayer, it frankly didn't work. I felt nothing at all, and had real trouble entering fully into the story. Even today, I often find myself more confused by Jesus than anything else!

If you share some of these feelings, that's okay. Be honest with God and with yourself. Wait a day or two, and try it again. The important thing is not execute exercises perfectly. The important thing is not even to hear the Invitation perfectly clearly.

The important thing is simply to grow in relationship with Inviter. The important thing is to, like Bonhoeffer, approach the manger and see where it leads us.

And so we pray: Lead us on, Lord, lead us on.