theotokos

all god needs
in order to be born
is a womb
a nurturing space
a receptive heart
in which he can
be conceived

in which he can
grow and take shape
within us
so that he might
be born into this
dark and broken world

for we cannot
make it happen ourselves
we cannot
manufacture or produce
what can only happen
organically

so we must wait
willingly and openly
as mary did
and we must say
i am the servant
of the lord
may it be unto me
as you have said

prepare the way

there is much work to be done
in this season of advent
as we prepare the way
for the coming of the king

straight paths must be made
valleys must be raised up
and mountains made low

much construction
and deconstruction
within us and among us
will be necessary

what is crooked
must me made straight
and what is rough
must be made smooth

all in an effort
to prepare for his arrival
whenever and wherever
that may be

come, lord jesus

God showed up

in the middle of

our broken world

God showed up

in the middle of

our sadness and sorrow

God showed up

in the middle of

our loneliness and isolation

God showed up

in the middle of

our fear and insecurity

God showed up

in the middle of our

darkness and despair

God showed up

that is the beauty

of the season
it always reminds us that

God shows up

maybe not like we

demand or expect

but he shows up

nonetheless

for he cannot stay away

he loves us too much

its just who he is

and since

God showed up

so should we

that through us

he might bring

light and peace

healing and wholeness

hope and compassion

to a broken

and hurting world

vigilance

advent is a season
for staying vigilant
for being keenly watchful
ever awake and alert

it is a season
for keeping vigil
for wakefulness
maintained
throughout the
darkness of night
when we are most tempted
to drift off into
sleepy inattention
and to become lax and lazy
in our prayer and our practice

vigilance
requires something of us
it demands
an active waiting
an intentional
diligence of heart
a determination
to stay awake
regardless of the cost

for no matter
how much
vigilance may cost
the cost of
falling asleep
is much greater

hang on

the days are coming
declares the Lord
when I will fulfill
my gracious promise
when I myself
will come down
and be with you
and walk among you
when I myself
will renew and restore
all things
to their creation intent
I will make
the broken things
whole once more
so hang on
do not despair
I'm on my way

thanksgiving

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever. ~Psalm 118:1

It is easy to look at the world we live in, and all of the craziness going on around and within us, and ask the question, "Why?"  But I think this day, Thanksgiving Day, gives us a wonderful opportunity to flip that question around a bit.  Instead of constantly asking why in the negative sense, we are invited to ask why in a more positive sense.  It is a way of asking--or a way of seeing really--that sees all things as a gift, rather than a right or a privilege.  It is a way of asking that sees things as gain rather than as loss.  Instead of mourning the loss of our loved ones with a "Why were they taken from us?" attitude, we are invited to ask instead, "Why were we given the privilege of having them in our lives to begin with?  Why were we given this extraordinary gift?"  Thanksgiving Day invites us into a new way of seeing and thinking.  It is the way of gratitude.  Gratitude recognizes that everyone and everything is a gift, if we will simply choose to see it that way.  It doesn't deny the pain or sadness of hurt and loss, it just gives us the possibility of converting them into joy.  Gratitude allows joy and pain to coexist.  As a matter of fact, it makes space for them to embrace each other.  It makes a way for true healing to occur.

So may each of us today choose to see things through the eyes of gratitude.  May our hearts be filled with joy.  May we overflow with thanksgiving.  Thanks be to God! 

advent

o light

upon you

we wait

as we sit

in our darkness

it is the season

of longing

which we now

enter into

the season

of groaning

the season

of recognizing

that all is not

as it was intended to be

the season in which

we watch and wait

for all to be made right

and so we watch

and we wait

and we yearn

for your coming

and hope

is birthed

within us

we wait for you

o light

to come and shine

to blaze

to drive away

our darkness

our doubt

our fear

our despair

and bring us

the hope of life

and bring us

a little taste

of your kingdom

a little hint

of the way

things were intended

to be

and one day

will be

forever

*Advent begins on Sunday, November 27