Advent 3

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Advent 3 - The Lord is Near

We rush and are always late dashing
in and out the cold is biting we steam
windows with our breath we hope the lines are short
we hope that we will make it through.

We snip and bite wailing
exhaustion and anxiety our companions
failure and inadequacy our ghosts.
Day and night we are haunted
we never feel complete.

The Lord is near and we say hold on
I am not ready you'll have to keep
yourself busy, you'll have to wait I can't
focus on that now.

The Lord is near the skies a brilliant
cobalt blue blackness stars alive with crisp
life and possibilities, we won't linger for
the cold, the chores, the time of our life.

The Lord id near and whispers look up and see
brilliant beauty in the night.

If you can't sleep, look up
and if you rise early in panic look up
for love and comfort are at hand, need not
worry yourself today.

God is drawing near and an unkempt stable
is completely adequate, totally whole and holy.
No perfect performance, no right words
or correct clothing can match what God has brought-
a child, small and mild, like we once were
comes to bring us peace.

Today, linger by the messy straw, the stained places
the shadows and in the cold, linger
for God is drawing near.