Second Tuesday of Advent

But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work.  Be at peace among yourselves.  And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.  See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.  May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. (1st Thessalonians 5:12-24)

         gifts

we could continue
      to ridicule others,
   cutting them down,
   putting them in their places,
            or
         this year, we
      could lift them up,
      praise them,
            give them the honored
                 seats;

we could grumble
our way
              through the season,
         humbugging each day,
      muttering to ourselves
            as we stand in line,
               or
         this year, we
        could sing a few more
                   carols,
            hug a few more
               children,
      share joy with everyone we
                  meet;

we could keep
   feeding that grudge
           we hold against
      our neighbor, letting
      it grow bigger by the day,
we could write letters
               to the editor,
   complaining about all the
   calls and mailings asking
      for helping the poor,
                the hungry,
              the homeless,
          or
             this year,
   we could put up a peace pole,
      instead of that inflatable
                  santa,
          so others
         might find the way
            to Bethlehem.

(c) 2012  Thom M. Shuman