Advent Reflections: Second Sunday of Advent

The Collect

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lessons

 Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8 

The Meditation

Two Poems for the Second Sunday of Advent

I.

Frizzy, stinking hair

will become soft and useful.

It will give warmth and color.

It will take form by becoming 

entangled with itself.

It will survive the spikes

and thin out

twisting and wrapping

over wooden wheels

sliding between fingers

warmed by the turns

as it becomes

perfected and chosen,

ready to be put to use.

Prayers unwind to the count,

Words unravel into the air.

The possible appears. 

II.

Cry out! says a voice.

What to cry out? we plead. 

Throats ache and

Lungs are empty.

Use my words, says the voice.

Do not be afraid.

We beg.

And now we wait.

Watch 

for the impossible

where good news begins.

Keep watching 

for what is true and real

even while the world moves slow 

and stretches thin.

Watch 

for mercy and for love

resist paths too quick or clear.

Keep watching

for the right and the just

turn, turn, turn and come as close

as you can bear.

The meeting place

of comfort and of peace

welcomes with the kiss.

As gentleness and might embrace

we in our wait persist.