xxiv advent

advenire
implies waiting.

we have waited
this entire year.

waited
as one holding breath
waits to exhale.

waited
as a farmer
between the planting
and the harvest.

waited
as we have never been asked
to wait before.

waited
with dread and hope
as companions.

waited
till we are weary
of the waiting.

and still
we
wait
(like those of old
waited for the Promise).

Lord,
give us grace
to wait
more.

xxiii advent

once,
the heavens cracked
wide open
and
(self-sacrificial,
unconditional)
love
streamed
down.

xxii advent

herod

he
did not understand
the power against which he railed.

using
human authority
over
heavenly objectives
always fall short.

the schemes of men
leave the heart of God
heavy,
but the Almighty’s will
(wrapped in love)
will
be
done.

xx advent

If I had it
to do all over again
I’d spend more time in heaven
talking to the thunder,
admiring snowflakes,
picking sunflowers
and listening.
If you are very still
you can hear
the heartbeat
of a newborn
who is
the Ancient-of-Days.

xix advent

Servant.
While each action
is done with the aim of assisting
and often requires great personal sacrifice,
it doesn’t always mean
the help will be received
with joy.

While the beginning
was filled with exuberant song,
the end
was met with shouts of “crucify.”

The culmination of selfless service
is resurrection.

xviii advent

You’ve received
pressed down,
shaken together,
running over.

The call comes
to give
as you’ve received.

xvii advent

the most difficult part
of entering this world
is finding it upside down.

xvi advent

With wild abandon,
from the overflow of his heart,
the master
created
a one-off wonder.

Taking a step back
he looked upon his handiwork
with joy.
The courier
shared his sovereign’s delight,
but on closer inspection
noticed what appeared to be a blemish
on the canvas.

“Not a mistake, Abdiel,”
came an answer
to the unvoiced question.

“But, my liege . . .”

The master sighed,
placing a hand on the courier’s shoulder,
looking into his eyes.

“Not a mistake.”

xv advent

Flutterby
told Pillycat
of blue sky wonders,
powdery rainbow wings
and fragrant syrup from buttercups.

Pillycat was quite skeptical
and chose an exclusively leafy world
(thank you very much).
“Nonsense,” she thought
as she chewed her way through
another plectranthus.
“Imagine the likes of me
with wings!
Ha!”

Flutterby
raised her wings
and flap-flap-glided
away.

xiv advent

Everything looks better
without spectacles.
No sharp lines,
just blurry edges.
However,
I do run into lots of things
and have a myriad of bruises.