Isaiah 40:3 On Advent

Even the valleys within me, Lord,
Especially the valleys within me,
Some day to be leveled:
I say let the work begin.
For in me are such valleys
As frustrate the best map makers,
Except for the Master map maker
Who easily finds the way
To prepare the road within me
Beginning this very day.
And in my accursed weakness
I welcome the construction
And smile but meanwhile behind me
One foot is busy digging,
Always making the valley deeper,
And knowing it should not be thus.

First of Advent
Let hope begin again

Keep your heart open, as well keep your eyes
Though dark be the clouds and heavy the skies
There may come an omen of possible peace
Hope may yet return: watch for the red leaf

If ever a father's prayer is listened to,
If ever a mother's prayer is heard:
These are the promises that You have spoken,
These are the promises, You gave Your Word.

I hope less. I wait more
in silence unknowing
before a closed door.
I see less. I ask more.
I guess no God's will.
I seek less. I keep more
inside, dark, and try to be still,
the stillness the first step
before we can know.
And what lies beyond death
only dying will show.

 

Come walk in the woods in autumn,
the beckoning branches call.
Come see the beauty of the autumn sun
as it shines through leaves, as they glow and fall,
and the tall dried grasses whispering low
of the shorter days soon, and the coming snow.
As the nights go by, the days grow thinner,
the song will change: come walk in the winter.