First Monday of Advent

cease to do evil,
   learn to do good;
seek justice,
   rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
   plead for the widow.  Isaiah 1:17

we cannot pray,
   if we do not speak out
   for the oppressed;
our songs are hollow,
   if we will not listen
   to the lonely;
our words crumple
to the floor,
   if we do not
   cradle the broken;
we should not rejoice,
   if little children
   cry themselves to sleep;
our worship is selfish,
   if we do not welcome
   the stranger.

(c) 2017 Thom M. Shuman