Third Saturday of Advent

I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.  The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day - and there will be no night there.
(Revelation 21:22-25)

everyone!

we would hire extra
bouncers
to screen the crowds
to make sure the
riff-raff
can't slip into the party
unawares,
but your invitation
proclaims
in bold-faced large print:
EVERYONE WELCOME!
we spend so much
time and energy
playing the board game,
         jots and tittles,
watching to see
who tries to bend the
rules,
while you insist
that in your game of
grace,
everyone gets to play.

we go around
rattling every door,
double-checking every
window,
making sure that
your house is
locked up tight
after the service,
but you send word that
the gates of the city are never shut,
your arms are wide enough to
embrace us all,
and the chambers of your
heart have room for
everyone.

© 2012 Thom M. Shuman