In his book “Prayer, Finding the Heart’s True Home”, Richard Foster says, “Prayer is the human response to the perpetual outpouring of love by which God lays siege to every soul.  When our reply to God is most direct of all, it is called adoration.  We bow at the presence of God in endless wonder and ceaseless praise.”

In the book “The Nativity” illustrator Julie Vivas portrays the shepherds down on their knees peeking into the manger and encountering the living God.  In the face of baby Jesus, the Christ Child, they have come face to face with God.  They are filled with wonder and their response to this great love is adoration.  Their faces reveal what their hearts feel.  “O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord”!

Here is a similar sight.  The expressions on the faces of my granddaughters were captured at their peeking into the infant crib and seeing their newborn baby brother for the very first time.

They can hardly contain their joy!  And then we see their response of adoration at the wonder of this child who has just arrived straight from Heaven.

Below you see a small wondrous work of art I found tucked in a small corner of a small shop in a small town in Italy. Fashioned out of clay is young Mary adoring her baby Jesus. Her hand with long fingers is placed upon her heart, and her gaze is filled with loving adoration.  “Mary treasured up all these thing, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

In the prayer of adoration we love God for God’s very being.  God is God and our heart has found its home.

Questions to think about…

When have you experienced within your heart an adoration for God?  Where were you?  How did that happen?

How might you anticipate encountering the face of God this Christmas?

nk