An Advent Evening Apart

Last week A Morning Apart moved to the evening, as we gathered in community to enter into the season of Advent.  We walked alongside shepherds, kept our eyes focused on the star, listened for angel alleluias and wondered if we had what it took to make this journey.  We heard music, said prayers, sat quietly and then stepped out onto the road to Bethlehem.  A solitary walk, yet done in community, a gift for this season indeed.

 

TO LISTEN, TO LOOK

Is it all sewn up – my life?

Is it at this point so predictable,

            so orderly,

                        so arranged,

                                    so right,

            that I don’t have time or space

                        for listening for the rustle of angels’ wings

                        or running to stables to see a baby?

Could this be what he meant when he said

            Listen, those who have ears to hear . . .

            Look, those who have eyes to see?

O God, give me the humbleness of those shepherds

            who saw in the cold December darkness

            the Coming of Light

            the Advent of Love!

Kneeling in Bethlehem

Ann Weems