Poem by Danny Belrose of Blue Springs, Missouri USA

[God] embraced [the] chosen child, Israel;…remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.

Based on the Advent Devotion for Families and Households available at https://account-media.s3.amazonaws.com/26072/uploaded/h/0e18630581_1729692500_hope-is-near-advent-2024-23102024.pdf 

Open: Light a candle or ring a chime.

Ask: Take a few minutes and ask yourself, “When did I feel hope today or yesterday?”

Listen:
So silent now—the angels’ song, the distant sound of beating wings.
Star, stable, manger scene—nothing but a fading dream.
Sleepy shepherds greet the day their misty memories burned away.
Just another natal night—a father, mother, peasant child:
not unlike all others.
Was there music in the air? Did the wind deceive them?
Were the stars ablaze last night? Did grander hopes conceive them?
Hillside hopes are level now. Dawn has swallowed joy.
Morning breaks, shepherds wake, grazing sheep and bleating lambs;
lie within their keeping.
Forgotten now, this baby boy nestled in a feeding trough;
—a manger bed for sleeping.
No king or queen is born this way.
No wonders flood the sky today on this the morning after.

Nativity? A mystery. Factual tale or fable?
For some it doesn’t matter.
Every child is God’s bright “Yes” and warrants angels singing;
whose unseen wings soon fade away;
dispersed by muted living.
And we who bow on bended knee before a stable praying;
who celebrate with families this sacred time of sharing;
with colored lights and packages; with food and fun and laughter;
WILL we hear the beat of wings; and bless each child’s nativity;
on the morning after.

Breathe

The season of Advent reminds us that even as we wait for the birth of Christ in our lives and world, God is always with us. Right here, right now—wherever we are and with the ones we love. Take a deep breath and breathe in the presence of God.

Respond

How can you bring hope to others today?

Prayer

God, today I will be mindful of your presence with me.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.