December 17th

“Our God comes and does not keep silence,” Psalm 50:3a

not just in the thunder
but in the soft drips of rain,
not only in the fire
but in the dying embers,
not just in the words,
but in the breath between them,
you come.
whispering of mercy when
arrogance mocks devastating loss,
singing hope into the empty
house locked behind grief,
breathing your light into
all the long nights of living.
for Advent is not about
our shouting for God, but
God’s quiet insistence
that love is not out there somewhere
but in the pauses between heartbeats
that justice is strong enough
to gather all those we scatter,
that peace is gentle enough
to be born among us.
may we listen for the One
who comes in this moment
every moment—
dwelling in us, so we
will refuse to remain silent
when the world needs grace so much.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman