How long shall I long in vain? (Christina Rossetti, “Of Him That Was Ready to Perish”) And so we are not ready, too full of dross and dust, too much in need of refining fire to enter a purity our kind spoilt long ago. Nor is it ready for us, nor is the day ripe,Continue reading “Advent 18: Longing”
Category Archives: Devotional
Advent 17: Last Things
The first thing I must ownis that there is no placein a new heaven or a new earthfor the ancient dirtthat clogs my soul,no place for the fetid furythat clings to my speech,nor for the old-as-Cainhatred of brotherthat kills me the momentthat it kills you.
Advent 16: At that time I will bring you home
A nomad for much of my days, I confess the urge is strong now to stay put, to secure, to gather and store, to extend the barns for the coming drought. Where luxurious waste gathers in wardrobes and pantries, I long to play the rich fool and leave it be. Yet still the cloud getsContinue reading “Advent 16: At that time I will bring you home”
Advent 15: Over Jordan
I’m only going over Jordan,I’m only going over home.(“Poor Wayfaring Stranger”, trad.) Truth be told, I hardly think of it,the end of my roaming, except perhaps as sleep,or when, longing for an end to all ending things,I dream of new creations. Yetthe sum of my longing is not halfway close,bound as I am by myContinue reading “Advent 15: Over Jordan”
Advent 14: Last Things
You shall turn again to earth.(Christina Rossetti, “For Advent”) Before leaving for our new home, we takethe last year’s compost and distributerich, fermenting soil across our garden bed,while lawn – parched from summer – longs weakly for green.I too am parched and thoughmade of mud I cannot rest in dirtuntil the heat is passed.And soContinue reading “Advent 14: Last Things”
Advent 13: But I said, “I have laboured in vain”
The sun beating heavily on our heads, we feltthe agony of things straining against themselves,felt the longing but not the reward and grewweary of the day. When I spoke, it was gravel in my throat.“Show me,” I demanded, “the length of these days.Show me the end.” And the sundid not relent in its frenzied beamingwhileContinue reading “Advent 13: But I said, “I have laboured in vain””
Advent 12: You are in the wilderness
For Thou art in the wildernessDrawing and leading Thine Own love…(Christina Rossetti, “The Chiefest Among Ten Thousand”) The barren land will bear fruitbut now, in this waiting time, I must gowhere barrenness still lingersto meet with You who chose thisof all the compass points in creation,of every nook of the ever-expanding universe –chose this place,Continue reading “Advent 12: You are in the wilderness”
Advent 11: Nunc Dimittis
My eyes have seenyet my heart forgets,eager to assume the worst.I would be Simeon and yetdismiss the wordstill unfulfilled. Only let me see, I pray,yet choke to hear the words.Sight is not faith; I must hold onto all my hope deferred and keepvigil with what mercy shows. Do not dismiss me yet.
Advent 10: Waiting
Bulbs in soil await the spring,and fruit awaits the sun,parched earth waits for thunderstormand watchmen wait for dawn. Guilt awaits the gavel’s fall,fear awaits the dreaded thing,hope waits for what is not seenand voices wait to sing. The busy spirit does not wait;“Time waits for no-one,” it will shout.Impatience sooner dies than waits,and reason tendsContinue reading “Advent 10: Waiting”
Advent 9: No despair
…we are almost ready to fall in love with our own desolation. (Christina Rossetti, Seek and Find) Whether height of summer or bleak midwinter, there’s death: in bare-branched trees or brittle grass. Fire or frost, the end’s the same, both killers and destroyers alike. And the greatest foe of all’s despair, the sickness blighting notContinue reading “Advent 9: No despair”
The Consolations of Writing 