Category Archives: Advent

Joseph, Husband and Father

Joseph, Husband and FatherAdvent 4; Matthew 1:18-25Though Joseph’s doubts might well have sired his rage,he did not choose that Mary face disgrace.He’d free her from their bond and plead his age,provide for her in some secluded place.An angel in a dream cast doubts aside:this child’s conceived by Holy Spirit’s will,so Joseph need not fear norContinue reading “Joseph, Husband and Father”

Are You the One

Are You the OneAdvent 3; Matthew 11:2-11Jailed by Herod, John suspectedhe would not roam wilderness again,or forage there for wild honey.His life would soon be forfeitto a corrupt king’s lustful whim.Then he sent to Jesus to ask him:“Are you the one who is to comeor are we to wait for another?”He feared his hope wasContinue reading “Are You the One”

Voice in the Wilderness

Voice In the WildernessAdvent 2; Matthew 3:1-12John, you chose life in wild places,fed from their meagre resources:choice of a prophet, enactingwarning to mis-guided peopleexiled in spiritual wastelands,turning aside from God’s promise.Voice that Isaiah envisioned,words for a time of transition:“Make the paths straight by repenting!”Axes and fire you predicted,culling and threshing in judgement,wrath of the LordContinue reading “Voice in the Wilderness”

One Was Taken, One Was Left

One Was Taken, One Was leftAdvent 1; Matthew 24:36-44In the last desperate weeksof my father’s life,my mother had a dream:a vision of Jesuswho waited for Dad with open arms.I tearfully imaginedthe carpenter and the wood turnersharing their love of creating,so that Dad would feel at home there,having always had too many questionsto feel at homeContinue reading “One Was Taken, One Was Left”

With Joy You Will Draw Water

With Joy You Will Draw WaterAdvent 3: Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6Joy bubbles up like some underground streamchannelled anew to this hidden dry pool.Out of the depths it bursts into the light,mating with air in bright bubbles and mist.Maybe these waters remain for a time;maybe they’re gone soon after they’ve come:yet they awaken the ground allContinue reading “With Joy You Will Draw Water”

Singing after Silence

Singing after SilenceAdvent 2; Luke 1:68-89 (Song of Zechariah)Zechariah sang after silence.Without that muted waiting, would he have found his song?Doubt left him wordless,no questions or answers, just listening.Long awaited birth woke eloquence.Our world is clamorous; impatient with waiting, we exile silence,deaf to the still, small voice of mystery.There’s no hope of birthwithout the growingContinue reading “Singing after Silence”

Advent Song

Advent SongAdvent brings a pregnant waitinghoping for divine surprise.We expect the birth of Wisdom,truth that’s shaped to fit our eyes:gift of being needs our seeingmeaning in a baby’s cries.Advent intersects with prophetsexiled to beyond the walls,speaking of the need to journeyand to heed the word that calls:lonely teaching, dazed with reachingto where light or shadowContinue reading “Advent Song”

2 Sonnets

Who is Mary? Advent 4 Luke 1:26-38 Not blue and white, immaculate and fair? The Mary I imagine and admire is dark, with untamed eyes that probe and flare: a woman fit to mate with Spirit fire. The label “Virgin” now precedes her name, as though to guarantee unworldly worth, yet earthy common sense hasContinue reading “2 Sonnets”

Who are you? What do you say about yourself?

Who are you? What do you say about yourself?for Advent 3, John 1:6-8, 19-28I’m not the Messiah, although sometimesI wish I could save the church I love –the world as a whole is out of my league.I’m not a prophet, although sometimesthe words I write seem given to share,and so I rejoice to see themContinue reading “Who are you? What do you say about yourself?”