Advent

Twas the Beginning of Advent

 

‘Twas the beginning of Advent and all through the Church,

Many were preparing, yet some gave up the search.

It wasn’t so much that Christ wasn’t invited,

But after 2000 plus years, some were no longer excited.

 

A baby, it seems, who once had been born,

In the mid-east somewhere on that first holy-day morn.

But what does that mean for folks like us,

Who’ve may have lost ourselves in the hoopla and fuss?

 

Can we again look with wondering and awaiting,

Of hoping and praying and anticipating?

Can we let go of all the things and all the stuff?

Can we open our hands and hearts long enough?

 

Can we open our eyes and open our ears?

Can we find Him again after all these years?

Will this year be different from all the rest?

Will we be able to offer Him all our best?

 

So many questions, unanswered thus far,

As the wise men seeking the home of the star.

Where do we begin—how do we start,

To make for the child a place in our heart?

 

With Him He brings wholeness and newness of life,

For brother and sister, for husband and wife.

The Christ child comes not by our skill,

But rather He comes by His own Father’s will.

 

Can we block out commercials, the hype and the malls?

Can we find solitude in our holy halls?

Can we keep alert, keep hope, stay awake?

Can we receive the child for ours and God’s sake?

 

He’ll lead us to challenge the way that things are,

He’ll lead us to follow a single bright star.

As Advent begins all these questions come clear,

The only true answer: He will be here!  He will be here!

 

By J. Todd Jenkins