
Advent III
humble Bethlehem
least among the clans
out of you a vine
stretches to inherit
the nations,
standing with their backs to God
soon all eyes
fasten on your offspring
one of David’s line
whose rule leaps
from heart to heart
carrying the white flag of truce
to dress the fallen
who walk goat steps
and wished they were clean,
rags snatched from the fire
Advent IV
advent rips the veil
parting bride and groom
with a baby shower
of grace
the God-child
who cries
the kingdom
on white Christmas
answers our winter sleep
with descension
salvation come down
touching orphans
his armistice
for the God-ejecting
born of a virgin
so we’d be swept
away in the mystery
of visitation
caught up in the air
where God surmounts
the odds through conception
hangs peacetime on a miracle
for those who deserve
the noose
Advent V
It was a short distance
from crib to cross
when you winked
baby blue eyes at Mary,
saw Calvary’s shadow
in her reflection
with prophetic sight
staring down the years
towards Jerusalem,
where she’d weep
even as the stone
rolled back victorious.
In the manger you knew
your resting place,
ordained yourself as born
to die, as orchestras
of angels lighted Israel’s
way out of exile
for hungry shepherds,
soon washed in the blood
Advent VI
In this bleak midwinter
falling incense is how you answer
prayers for a foretaste
of your coming son.
Nothing is wasted
I’m enraptured on the black ice
crying maranatha
as for one brief moment
I catch a glimpse
of bridal lace
prepared for consummation
when God conjoins with his beloved.
Coming up from the washing,
I’m beside springs that warm
my cold veins
with visions of Zion
that prepare the way
out of this tired dispensation
shake December’s frosty root
to new fires breaking
upon the nativity play
where infant Jesus dons a crown.