First Wednesday of Advent

Please read Luke 1:68-79

each morning when i

let the dog out, fear

hands me the morning paper,

eager to spend the

rest of the day with me;

several times a week,

i get a fax or voicemail,

reminding me

of the times and locations of

failures anonymous;

wrap it in fancy sounding words -

outsourcing, downsizing,

restructuring, pinkslipping -

rejection is the gift

that seems to keep

on giving;

with such a toxic environment,

is it any wonder i forget

who i started out to be,

who i long to be?

yet

you single me out,

pulling me close

in a great bear hug;

you whisper of your grace

through the mouths

of children singing

so sweet and clear

on the corner;

you swaddle all my gifts

in compassion,

hope's bright ribbon

tightly curled on top:

for

you remembered,

you will remember.

so come,

Benedictus,

come.

(c) 2009 Thom M. Shuman