Once again this month, we are indebted to the New Church Christmas readings, and the Rev. Mark Pendleton for compiling them. 

I've been reflecting lately on how much listening features in the Christmas story, and listening corresponds to obedience.  How might we cultivate more of a willingness to listen for the promptings of our higher self - which are "God with us"?

Love and Peace,

Ethan

Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be
delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her
neighbours and relatives heard how the Lord had
shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her. So
it was, on the eighth day, that they came to
circumcise the child; and they would have called him
by the name of his father, Zacharias.

His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.”
But they said to her, “There is no one among your
relatives who is called by this name.” So they made
signs to his father—what he would have him called.
And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying,
“His name is John.” So they all marvelled.

Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue
loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came
on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings
were discussed throughout all the hill country of
Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in
their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?”
And the hand of the Lord was with him.
(Luke 1:57-66)

[Speaking of obedience to the Lord] -

"A spirit of obedience is the genuine good of faith and charity."
(Swedenborg, Secrets of Heaven no. 7161.1)

Reflection: Zacharias obeyed the Lord by naming his son
John rather than Zacharias. Obedience requires us, at times,
to submit our own will to the Lord’s will. By submitting
ourselves in this way, it may appear as though we’re losing
something of ourselves. But in reality, our effort and decision
to obey are an exercise of our selfhood—the new selfhood
that the Lord is building in us—little by little, day by day. This
effort and decision involve a belief that the Lord’s way is the
wise way. They also involve a choice that we make to put His
way into practice.