This project began as personal reflection during Advent and evolved into something I shared throughout the season. Each day in December I read the scripture passages allotted by the lectionary. Flipping back and forth between pages, my meditation on the words led to penning brief amalgamations of language and imagery – short verses birthed by biblical poetry and prose. I also snapped a photo each day that captured the sentiment of each piece.
Wandering deeper into the season I began to notice the great intention of the lectionary’s selection, as well as arterial themes weaved throughout the biblical story. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it. Profound as it was to think on the brilliance and beauty of scriptural congruency, experiencing the guidance of God’s Spirit along the way was the real treat. Though these scriblings are obviously not inspired like the scriptures are, they were certainly inspired by them.
My simple hope in sharing this is to encourage you to venture into the scriptures for yourself. To discover what so many have found so meaningful season after season and what the Advent arranges before us: hope, peace, joy and love.
Though daily doomed.
A peaceful path precedes us.
The Almighty has forged it.
Does compassion not rush to the widow?
Will the just and kind lack company?
At last! The lowly are lifted,
But the palace of pride laments.
The Shepherd pastures bloodied sheep,
And feeds them in the morn.
Eternal One is now their peace,
Deliverer is born!
The morning mist is fast repealing,
And early dew will melt away.
On painful paths we meet our healing,
Where word of dawn has bid us stay.
Good Giver graces
Any earth his Speech is sent
Where ears are open.
When love and truth kissed
This stone-made heart turned tissue
My folly baptized.
A thousand years – a day will pass
For patient Sons called dear.
Salvation will spring up like grass
When Comforter comes near.
Despair extinguished
On nights my dark soul longs for
A forgiving charge.
Living lands are long promised
To branches bruised and banished.
And many more, blanketed in grace,
Will find themselves re-grafted.
God’s House is our House
The Temple tabernacled
Whom we prepare for.
Though sowing sadness
Our fellowship of resurrection nears.
Joy tarries temporarily!
The LORD makes us laugh.
His splendour is like sunlight.
Let us stand in it.
Once captive now I
Rejoice to work in
My Father’s vineyard.
Blessed as brides and grooms
Are the broken-hearted ones!
Happy and joyful Are the hungry and humble!
Thanking forever
The faithful, long-predicted
Producer of light.
Safely encircled
Are those in Spirit-armour
Mountains surround them.
Nomads, prophets, kings
Travail to trust the One who
Blesses by service.
All who heed his humble way
Find their promised land.
Peace on My good people
On whom the righteous sun rises
With healing in its wings
At the restoration of it all.
Though couched in lovingkindness
The king is right to quake in
The company of One who
Makes visible the invisible
A might unmatched.
Salvation songs flow
With the oil of gladness when
Dignity is shed.
The Son stronger than
Sampson is of Jessie’s line
Bethlehem’s true King.
The home of the Most High is
A house built as we house him
A dwelling blessed
On salvation’s rock
With room for all.
Heaven is happy
And the earth rejoices as
Night wanes and Light nears.
Sing of good tidings
The appointed time is near
Father gives his Word.
A Child is given
A Son counted among us
Though unlike any.
He blesses with hope
And banishes fear for all
Who call him their own.
