Sunday 27 November 2011

First Sunday in Advent: Hope

This Advent the strawberries are hoping for: snow, happiness, answers and inspiration, and kneeling places...


In Search of our Kneeling Places

In each heart lies a Bethlehem
an inn where we must ultimately answer
whether there is room or not.
When we are Bethlehem-bound
we experience our own advent in his.
When we are Bethlehem-bound
we can no longer look the other way
conveniently not seeing stars
not hearing angel voices
We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily
tending our sheep or our kingdoms.

This Advent let's go to Bethlehem
And see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.
In the midst of shopping sprees
let's ponder in our hearts the Gift of Gifts.
Through the tinsel
let's look for the gold of the Christmas Star.
In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos,
let's listen for the brush of angels' wings
This Advent, let's go to Bethlehem
and find our kneeling places.

Ann Weems Kneeling in Bethlehem

Pause in Advent chez Floss

16 comments:

Pom Pom said...

Oh, yes! Let's!
Beautiful poem, Mags.
Kneeling places. I love that.

Unknown said...

Kneeling places, how beautiful.

Elderberry-Rob said...

'let's listen for the brush of angel wings'.... yes please. This was a lovely poem.

Gumbo Lily said...

I like thinking about "kneeling places." I'll go to Bethlehem!

Kit said...

Oh that was just lovely! And so true! I try to keep the real meaning in everything I do all season (and all year long) Thank you for visiting my blog. Your comments were lovely. Kit

Lorrie said...

Beautiful poem. I love the thought of "kneeling places" and going to Bethlehem.

Unknown said...

Thank you for this lovely Pause in Advent. Have a blessed week.

Jen Walshaw said...

I love that poem so much and feel free to take any ideas you see. I love your blog BTW

Angela said...

I have the poem stuck up in the kitchen now! It's great
blessings x

Left-Handed Housewife said...

Oh, I love Ann Weems! Thanks for sharing this poem, Mags. It's a perfect way to begin Advent.

xofrances

Floss said...

Oh excellent - thanks so much! I am wondering how I can copy this down and use it at home now...

Amy Smith said...

Lovely. <><

Pom Pom said...

Of course you may use my tree picture. That's last year's tree. This year's tree is not up yet!
We had a few tweaks in the itinerary for the Grand Tour. I'll explain later. I'm working on the next stop.
xo

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing that poem. I didn't know it, but it has touched me. I love the first stanza, the challenge not to look away. It applies to so much in life...

Fat Dormouse said...

That's definitely a poem to keep and to ponder on. I shall copy it into my "Still Life" Book of Days. It resonates and deserves some more thought. Thank you for sharing it.

The dB family said...

Beautiful! When I get home, I am going to print it off.

Blessings!
Deborah

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