When you dance alone, spinning like a cyclone,
being whoever, whatever, in a world all your own,
God smiles and here’s why— in the spark of your eye,
a familiar reflection shines bright from inside.
‘Cause when God made you
and the world oohed and aahed,
in heaven they called you an image of God.
– from Matthew Paul Turner’s “When God Made You”

Where is it the easiest to see God?

When I was younger, I looked at pictures of space,
and in the nebulas and gas clouds and vast expanses of stars,
I imagined the face of God, cosmic and mighty.

Then I grew a little older, and I looked to nature,
and in the trees and the sunsets and the mountains and canyons,
I imagined the face of God, majestic and awesome.

Then I grew a little older, and I looked toward the quiet places,
and in chapels and prayer rooms and labyrinths and altars,
I imagined the face of God, peaceful and inviting.

But while all these places honor God,
and all these places speak to attributes of God,
the true image of God is something different entirely.

I see God in the very old and in the very young,
each possessing their own beautiful wisdom.
I see God in revelers celebrating new life
and in mourners grieving its tragic loss.
I see God in our creativity.
I see God in our compassion.
I see God in caregivers and care recipients alike.
I see God in you, in my family, in my coworkers,
and on my very best days,
sometimes I catch a little glimmer of God in me too.

Because the image of God isn’t some far off thing;
No, God has knit together every part of our being,
And through each of us the love of God shines;
All humanity bears the image divine.

May you feel God’s love surrounding you today.
Amen.

This year’s Advent posts each begin with an excerpt from Matthew Paul Turner’s exceptional children’s book “When God Made You.” It’s one of my daughter’s favorites, and it’s a great reminder for adults as well. It’s pretty much a perfect stocking stuffer for all ages. Also, the image at the top of each post this year is Jessi’s and my own Advent wreath in our home, so know that we’re lighting the candles with you as these posts go live.