December 5th

”May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.” Jude 2

while the days shorten,
the world slips closer to shadows
and we join in the hustle and bustle
of these days more than we do hope,
come—
in the gentle hands of old friends
who warm our wintery hearts
with nothing more than kindness.
come—
in that simple act of mercy
as someone who took a risk on us
tells us that the only thanks they need
is for us to do the same
for someone else down the road.
come—
in that silent pause in our worries
which allow us to hear the beating
of that heart which is always with us.
come—
in that love which does not need
fancy paper and gold ribbons but
is covered in the dust from
walking by our side over the
rough sidewalks of our days.
come—
as Advent dawns each day
with bright hope on the horizon
and slips over the edge of night
as our candles twinkle soft hallelujahs.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman