And with Thy Spirit: Wild Advent

                                 “Spirit is not in the I but between I and You.” 

                                    ~~Martin Buber, I and Thou💛

I don't know about you, but to consider that we're created by something existing outside our mortal comprehension feels like something of a wilderness to me. As finite beings pondering the infinite, the right and good, and natural inclination from ancient times seems to have been to pray.

“Let us pray.”

It is a simple bidding, an invitation to turn our hearts, minds, and voices toward something greater than ourselves. 

In our Episcopal service, prior to praying together, the celebrant says to the congregation, “The Lord be with you,” to which the people respond, “And also with you.” One person at our early service generally responds, “And with thy spirit.” 

It’s from the Rite I liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer. It's old.

“And with thy spirit.” God be with you and with my spirit, too. 

I and Thou. God with us. It's mind-blowing if you really think about it. 

So try not to think too hard. Just be. I and Thou. Together In Spirit.

Happy Advent. Happy wandering in this mysterious wilderness that is Emmanuel, God with us.