When someone is truly listening, it shows. There’s eye contact. There’s head nodding. A

good listener doesn’t sit back with crossed arms seemingly distant. They lean in to show

interest, presence, connection. I’ve been thinking about the physical gesture of leaning

in. It’s posture that communicates,

“I’m here. You matter. I care. I’m paying attention.”

This Advent season, we celebrate the birth of our Savior — God leaning into humanity. He

drew near…

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call

His name Immanuel,” which is translated,

“God with us.” Matthew 1:23.

He leaned into our world, close enough to hold, close enough to see, close enough to

touch.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the

glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

God leaned in towards you and I individually because we needed hope. We needed

forgiveness. We needed rescue. We needed restoration.

“For there is born to you this day

in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You

will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11- 13.

May we in this Advent season be reminded that God is near. Wherever we are may we

know that – We matter. He cares. He is paying attention. He is leaning in.