December 12th

“For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'" Matthew 23:39

in the fellow
who goes out and buys
a tree for the widow next door
and then decorates it top to bottom,
we see the one who comes in
love.
in those folks
who place themselves
between their neighbors
and the ICE-cold hearts of cruelty,
we see the ones who come in
justice.
in families
who set aside their grief
and stand on street corners
witnessing for an end to gun violence,
we see the ones who come in
peace.
in the young people
who refuse to accept the notion
that nothing they do
might reverse climate change,
we see those who come in
hope.
even if, especially when,
we never pay attention,
you come to us,
again and again,
and we are blessed.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman