chris@mcdonnell83.freeserve.co.uk           Previous articles by Chris

   November 28, 2012                              Chris McDonnell, UK   

This Advent Coming

In the Northern hemisphere, the weeks before Christmas are often dark and dank, “the ways deep and the weather sharp, the very dead of Winter.” as Eliot wrote in the Journey of the Magi. This year, in the last few days, very heavy rain has given rise to flooding in the West Country and apparently there is more to come.

So Advent, the Coming, a time of preparation for the Christ Saviour is a time of waiting, a time for getting ready. The Liturgical year begins with the First Sunday in Advent; we begin again the story of our Redemption with days that lead to the birth of a Child.

The pieces below, one written for each Sunday in Advent are formed in the structure of the Japanese Haiku: 5 syllables, then 7 and then 5.

Read them slowly and then read them again and in the space between reflect on the enormity of the story.  

A single candle under the altar of St John the Baptist Church, Great Hayood, Staffordshire in the Midlands of England .

Four Advent haikus

         Advent -1-  

Fog found December days

in chill expectation

of the Lord's Advent  

Advent -2-  

Days of waiting

in anticipation of the birth

of Him who comes  

Advent -3-  

Four flames shape my song

that this very earth must sing

fire in the desert  

Advent - 4-  

Touch again the stones

that your open hands wear smooth

each silent morning