Slow Non-Masonic Degrees

Someone asked me yesterday if  my blog “Slow Degrees” was a reference to some new option the Masons were offering.  I smiled and advised reading beyond the title.

Here’s the reference, from John Wesley: “Every one, though born of God in an instant, yet undoubtedly grows by slow degrees.”   I asked if and how that’s true for you this Advent season.  I’ve enjoyed your answers, and again do thank you.

As I indicated here yesterday, The Advent Conspiracy has been a challenging blessing for me this month.  This is a book and DVD study our church is offering twice on Wednesdays in Advent.  It’s about seeing and experiencing the birth of Christ from inside the manger instead of the mall or in front of the “Add to Cart” screen.

For me, it’s about going back to the stable before going anywhere else.  That sounds obvious and even simple, but that’s been huge for me recently.  As a working pastor in a real church, distractions are legion.  By the grace of God, these days I’m trying to pay attention to what God’s got going on and where God is inviting us to join in.

I’m thankful for Mr. Wesley’s counsel that God is at work to grow us by slow degrees.  As the authors of The Advent Conspiracy put it, “We are invited to live and breathe in the glorious, ordinary moments of our lives.”

Emmanuel.  God with us.  Right here, right now.