December 25

Friday, December 25: Titus 3:1-7

Two years ago my sister adopted a precious girl from Ethiopia. She was a two-year-old at the time, but international adoptions aren’t always straightforward or easy. My sister and brother-in-law started that journey SEVEN years prior. During those years, as the original agency closed their doors, and hurdle after hurdle was presented to them, I got to see the meaning of “a hope deferred makes the heart sick.” There were lots of conversations that involved tears, that involved serious anger, that involved depression and a desire to give up. Ultimately, they didn’t and their baby girl is THRIVING.

When you read through the Old Testament, you get to see a people who are longing for savior. It is not a longing that just needs to survive seven years. It has to survive not just generations. On this side of things, we see it had to survive millennia. As a believer, picture yourself growing up in a home where you were hoping and praying for God to send His savior to you. But your parents were waiting for the same thing. Their parents died waiting for it, as did their parent’s parents, and their parent’s parent’s parents (and soon my apostrophe key would stop working from overuse if I continued this long enough). There would be hope, but I fear I might have also had a little bit of heart-sickness growing up like that.

And somehow, maybe because God knew me well enough, and you too, I get to live on the other side. I get to know that God’s love and kindness and faithfulness (which thank God isn’t dependent on me) delivered my deliverer. His mercy didn’t fail. He has saved me and renewed me by GENEROUSLY pouring out His Holy Spirit through His son, Jesus Christ MY Savior. And now, like the apostle John, we await His return and pray “Come soon, Lord Jesus.” However, the reality, based on the last two thousand years, is that He may not come in my lifetime. But how fortunate am I that I don’t have to see His return to have the hope of eternal life. Because a very special baby was born to a virgin two thousand years ago, I have been justified and have the hope of eternal life when I leave this world. I get to experience the second half of the Proverb, “But a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” And that’s what the story of Christmas is all about. 

Scott Timmons

December 24

Thursday, December 24:  Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
They lived in a land of shadows,
but now light is shining on them. 

Light all the candles.  Eat all the ice cream.  Snuggle up with some blankets.  And wait for the light.

It’s easy to take light for granted when the electricity is on.  But when the lights are off, all you can do is wait for the light of dawn. (or the OG&E crew to restore power.)

Every morning the sun rises. All of creation celebrates with songs of praise to welcome the coming of the light. The sunlight is sure and predictable. The sun transforms the darkness of night into the light of morning day after day.  The sunrise and sunset set the rhythms of life.

Night and day, darkness and light are all part of our experience here on earth. 

We all know the night, the darkness, where the shadows of death loom thick and heavy. The darkness that is all around us and within us.  Yes, we do know what it is like to walk in darkness, fear, stress, or isolation.  But just when we think we have lost sight of hope, the far horizon begins to turn purple and we are reminded the light is coming.  We are not alone. 

During advent we celebrate the coming of the Son, the Christ, the Light.  God is with us.  We have a God that shows up again and again.  No matter how dark the night may seem, we can be confident we are not alone.  The night will not last forever.  God will show up as consistently as the dawn and the light of love will transform us again and again.

The path of transformation leads us through the darkness of suffering to the light of dawn. Through it all we hold fast to the hope of advent.  Christ is coming.  The light of Christ is shining all around us and it is within us, despite the shadows of darkness.  This is our hope.  This is our wholeness and peace.  It is our joy.  This is love embodied. 

In the light we are made whole.  We are fully seen, and we are able to see clearly.  We are safe.  We are accepted as we are.  The tears are wiped away.   We can laugh again.  We have been made new.  God is with us.  We are with God. 

Let us celebrate the coming of the light! (like the power has been off for 2 days in an ice storm.)

Allison and Jarris Kentle

December 23

Wednesday, December 23:  1 Samuel 2:1-10

Hannah had been barren and prayed fervently that she would be able to have a son. She promised to dedicate this first son to God’s service. After the blessing of the High Priest Eli, she was able to have children. She gave back to God the son that God had given her.

This is the prayer or song of Hannah when she fulfilled her promise to God that her firstborn son Samuel would be dedicated to serve God. Before she had Samuel, her world was wrong, dismal, and oppressive. In her culture, childlessness must have been a great burden to her sense of self-worth, even though she was favored by Elkanah her husband. Here she expresses her joy and faith in God’s generosity and deliverance in giving her a son.

She is naturally elated at her change in fortune and observes that even as her former misery has been transformed into joy, those who are arrogant may be brought low, and those who are well-fed may become hungry.  Similarly, the poor and destitute may be elevated.  One’s situation can change, and God is in control.

Strength is not effective, particularly if it is in opposition to God. Whether death, life, poverty, or wealth, all is given ultimately by God, so it is wise to be aware of that and be faithful and thankful.

After roughly a thousand years, God gave another son, to Mary and to us. The strength of the political and religious establishment was not ultimately effective in opposing Him. God is still in control.

Mike Atchley

December 22

Tuesday, December 22:  1 Samuel 1:25-28

When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord.  I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the Lord.  For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.”  And he worshiped the Lord there.

In this verse, we glimpse the peace that entered Hannah’s life when she fulfilled her purpose in service to God.  She received the son she had yearned for and then with peace she gave him in service to the Lord.  Her song of praise follows in chapter 2. 

Each year thereafter, Hannah makes a new robe for Samuel.  When her family makes the trip for their annual sacrifice, she visits her son and gives him the robe.  I imagine Hannah’s feeling of peace and contentment in this ritual – while she’s making the robe she is working with purpose and giving it intentionally.

There is great peace and rest in serving where you know you are supposed to be.  When I first pondered Hannah, it seemed so strange to yearn and pray for something just to give it right back.  If I reframe her story within the context of that culture, I think about how the worth and purpose of a woman was most often directly linked to bearing children.  Hannah’s prayer wasn’t just for a child.  Her prayer was to fill an emptiness, a lack of direction in her life.  Hannah’s act of sending Samuel in service of the Lord fulfilled her purpose and brought her peace.  We can do the same – we can pray for God to show us our purpose and ask for His help to fulfill that purpose.  We can enjoy peace and contentment as we turn right around and offer that in service to Him.

Nikki Watters

December 21

Monday, December 21:  1 Samuel 1:15-18

I read a few different translations of these verses to get a feel for what I wanted to write about, and really liked this translation:

Hannah: My lord, I am not drunk on wine or any strong drink; I am just a woman with a wounded spirit. I have been pouring out the pain in my soul before the Eternal One. Please don’t consider you servant some worthless woman just because I have been speaking for so long out of worry and exasperation.

Eli: Go, don’t worry about this anymore, and may the True God of Israel fulfill the petition you have made to Him.

Hannah: May your servant be favored in your sight.

Then Hannah rose and went back to where she was staying. The sadness lifted from her, so she was able to eat.

There are so many times when we feel wounded in spirit. Sometimes it comes from earthly disappointments; sometimes it comes from personal attacks or fragile moments. Hannah’s fear of being seen as worthless in her moments of weakness and pain are all too familiar for many. I know this year, there have been many of us who have struggled to feel cheerful and hopeful in light of what’s going on in the world around us. There have been days where I have wondered, “will I ever feel normal again?”

Reading this story in the Bible, I am reminded of the gift of a God who hears us. When our spirits are low, when we are filled with pain, we can pour out our hearts to God and he will not only hear us, but he will restore us. When the sadness lifted from Hannah, she is able to be comforted—she is able to eat, to be fulfilled, even in such a physical, earthly way.

I love the song “O Holy Night” around Christmas time, specifically the lyrics “The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!” Weariness cannot always be fixed with a nap or a good night’s sleep. Weariness is sometimes bone deep, soul deep, and the only cure is the peace that God can provide for us. This Christmas season, as we are surrounded by traditions and new realities, by memories and creating experiences, by in-person celebrations and digital reunions, let us remember and treasure in our hearts the peace that God provides, and the hope for our world that we can be a part of—praying diligently for one another, that we might be comforted and fulfilled.

Linsey Mastin

December 20

Sunday, December 20:  Luke 1:46-55

Dark night
Quiet flocks
Alert shepherds
A night like any other night. 

Bright light
Stirring sheep
Alarmed shepherds
A night unlike any night before 

Brilliant light
Proclaiming angel
“Good news of great joy:  A Savior is born; he is Christ the Lord!”
Exuberant shepherds
A night of joy!

 A song of angels
“Glory to God in the highest!”
A rush of shepherds to see the babe
A child unlike any other!
Go see the joy!

 Holy night
Blessed child
Adoring shepherds
The world is filled with JOY!

 Marguerite McDowell

December 19

Saturday, December 19th Psalm 89:24-26

Karlee Fuller

December 18

Friday, December 18:  Hebrews 1:8-9

“Daddy, are you old?” came the question from my young daughter. “I’m not as old as Pops,” I replied.

Age is, of course, relative.

A woman named Jeanne Calment from France lived to be 122; now that’s old. However, humans don’t hold a candle to some other mammals; the bowhead whale can live over 200 years. In the White Mountains of California there is a tree named Methuselah which boasts an estimated age of 4,852. Age is indeed relative.

In 2018, scientists—aided by the Hubble Space Telescope—discovered the most distant, visible star known to humankind. They named it Icarus. It’s a star that is exponentially hotter and more massive than our sun. Its light takes 9 billion years to reach the Earth. Now that truly is old.

The writer of Hebrews—referencing an ancient psalm—speaks of “a throne that will last for ever and ever.” It is difficult, perhaps impossible, for us to fathom for-ever. When we look to nature around us and even to distant galaxies, we’re only scratching the surface of eternity.

It’s easy to lose ourselves in the prospect of ever-expanding space and the endlessness of time. However, the God of forever, knows us by name and marked our days. God sent his Son into the world in a way that we could understand. It’s a story for young and old alike. It’s a story with a simple beginning, but with profound implications for all of time. There is joy in forever.

Corey Fuller

December 17

Thursday, December 17:  Psalm 89:1-2

            Sing?  Oh no, I don’t sing.  Don’t ask!

            My favorite children’s picture book is Tomie da Paola’s The Clown of God, a simplified retelling of an ancient tale, “Le Jongleur de Notre Dame.”  In the story, a boy who teaches himself to juggle joins a roving troupe and travels all over Europe performing a minor role in public shows.  For years, even when the troupe disbands, Giovanni continues to travel and juggle until he has become old and audiences mock his age and his poverty.  Finally, on a cold, rainy night, he finds shelter in the shadows of a cathedral where men and women in their finest dress have come to make offerings to the image of the Christ-child on the eve of the Christ-mass.  It is the night of gifts, and after all the others have left the church, Giovanni slips in and creeps down the candle-lit aisle to look at the rather stern image of the child.  “I have no gift to offer,” said the poor old beggar, “but I used to juggle.”  And Giovanni takes from his bag the objects of his life’s devotion and tosses them, one by one, into the air—round and round, faster and faster—colored balls circling like a rainbow.   Years before, he had been told, “All things sing for the glory of God.  Whatever you do can be your song to Him.”  So Giovanni juggled, but that night his heart stopped, and he fell to the floor.  Only the sexton-priest saw the miracle—the rainbow of colors now scattered on the floor, and the golden ball resting in the hands of the smiling Christ-child—Giovanni’s gift of himself.

            May we each find our own song, and may we sing it for love of Him.

Doug Watson

December 16

Wednesday, December 16:  Psalm 125:4-5

4 Lord, do good to those who are good.  To those who are upright in heart.

5 But those who turn to crooked ways, the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

We encounter passages like this often in the Psalms: the Psalmist exulting in the favor God shows for the righteous, but equally in God’s certain judgment upon evildoers. In our society’s current moment of pervasive “us versus them” polarization, this is an uncomfortable sentiment for the Christian to encounter in Scripture – it feels perhaps vengeful and self-congratulatory in a not very Christ-like way.

The Advent season gives us a different angle on this by reminding us of the surprising character and often mixed blessings that accompany God’s favor. Mary rejoices that she has received God’s favor when the angel shares the news of her pregnancy, even though for her it will mean not only morning sickness and labor pains but also shaming and shunning by her neighbors. Joseph will endure the heartache of perceived betrayal before choosing to believe Mary and thus sharing in her hometown disgrace. Shepherds discover the joy of the newborn baby while working the night shift, doing the cold and lonely jobs no one else wants to do. Wise Men seeking a great king will instead find a homeless couple in a stable sheltering a helpless infant. The holy family will soon find themselves strangers in a strange land, refugees from a murderous tyrant.

Advent means waiting to be surprised, and it invites us to question our place in the story. Rather than presuming with the Psalmist that we belong among the upright “us” and not the crooked “them,” it asks us instead where we should expect to find Jesus. Will we find the savior among those who delight in their power and privilege, safely insulated from the pain of others; or will we instead find him among the shunned and shamed, the lonely and heartsick, the poor and beleaguered, the homeless and the refugees? Which are truly the crooked ways and which are the straight? And when the Advent moment comes and our promised encounter with our Lord arrives, as he said, as a thief in the night, where will we be found?

John Michael Parrish

December 15

Tuesday, December 15:  Philippians 4:4

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” ...The Lord is near.
— Philippians 4:4 NIV

         God created humans to be capable of experiencing unspeakable joy.  In this world, this type of joy is rare, but perhaps many of us can recall how we felt standing at the altar and facing our beloved at our wedding ceremony, or the wonderful feeling of holding our newborn in our arms for the first time.  This kind of wondrous joy may be felt only a few times in our lives, yet it leaves its lasting mark on us for as long as we live.  With this in mind, it may be possible for us to relate to the amazing joy a group of shepherds experienced in the fields outside a little town called Bethlehem, in Israel, some two-thousand years ago.  These shepherds marveled as they saw an angel joyously announce the birth of our Savior, the Messiah, and as a great company of the heavenly host, surrounded by the very glory of God, praised Him (Luke 2).  Indeed, this was an unforgettable moment for those shepherds.  Elsewhere in Scripture, we can read about joy.  As we do, whether it be in the Psalms (51:12; 86:4), or in John (15: 11), or in Romans (14: 7), or as the Virgin Mary hears the world-changing news given her by the Angel Gabriel and responds, “…My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47), one theme becomes crystal clear.  That is, joy, this precious fruit of the Lord’s Holy Spirit, is directly tied to the presence of God, to His glory and salvation in Jesus.  This type of joy cannot be manufactured, sold, or consumed in earthly ways and holidays.  It is a gift from the Father of Lights above to us, when we seek Him earnestly and make Him our dwelling place.  In this Advent Season, may we be caught up in this joy, as we, like the shepherds of Bethlehem, seek anew the place where Emmanuel, God with us, is found.

Toni Chiareli

December 14

Monday, December 14:  Ephesians 6:10

Ephesians 6:10: “Be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power.” William Blake: “He is meek and He is mild; He became a little child.”

The scripture passage for this week of Joy is incredibly affirming to us as Christians.  If we are only to be strong in our faith in Christ all will be well. 

But Blake, in his famous poem “The Lamb,” reminds us the Christ himself left his heavenly home and submitted to being a human, with all the frailties and needs that we all face in our earthly travels. 

During this season of Joy, I am reminded that we need each other.  Yes, Ephesians tell us to “be strong,” but it does not say “be super-human.”  Of course, the love of Christ is stronger than anything we can imagine, and if we trust that we will find peace.  But the love of Christ also includes those around us who are part of our community and our culture, and Christ has put them there specifically to exemplify the love of Christ.  It is seen through the gift of a hug, through the look of understanding, through the prayers on our behalf, and in many other ways. 

I think Christ modeled this in his life; he allowed earthly parents to care for him and raise him; he allowed friends to care for him during his ministry; he depended on his friends during his greatest hours of need.  Remember, Christ was human, too. 

“Be strong,” my friends, by letting others know your needs, by helping others in their time of need, and for being open to the possibility that you can do greater things through Christ if you join with others to do so.

Be joyful this Advent season in knowing that the strength Christ gives you through your faith is manifested in many different ways.

Jim Vernon

December 13

Sunday, December 13: Isaiah 61:1-4

Another night of cold and dark, our weak fire has lost it’s spark.

We search all day for that patch of grass, the hunger hurts and will not pass.

We feel like captives of this flock, they imprison us without a lock.

We risk our lives from the fangs of foe, life is hard – it’s all we know.

With tattered clothes and a stick for a tool, we know the looks of ridicule.

We’ve been poor and broken hearted, full of hurt from the day we started.

Now as I watch the blackened sky, something changes and I can’t say why.

A light starts to build and sounds can be heard, the others awake but we don’t say a word.

Brightness grows from the shapes that appear, our arms hide faces overwhelmed with fear.

A song sweeps the air like waves of the sea, it gains strength and washes over me.

We’re paralyzed by this unknown sight. No one moves – we’re frozen in fright.

We recognize words sung by a shepherd of old, its Angels singing – bright and bold.

And one comes close, “Fear Not” we hear, and tells news of Him who will appear

To turn our spirit of hopeless despair into joyful praise that fills the air.

This proclamation is for those who are low, whose new freedom and joy can easily show.

We leave our burdens and fears behind, excited to seek this Savior to find.

How can it be, as lowly as we, that get to be chosen, this baby to see?

Now who can join this joyous shout? Anyone willing to try His splendor out!

Ford Mastin

December 12

December 11

Friday, December 11:  Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind me and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God had called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

No matter who you are – regardless of your age, interests, or occupation – I think we can all agree that this year has presented us with many unexpected challenges. With our nation experiencing social, political, and economic unrest in the midst of a global pandemic, it is easy to become weary, worn down – discouraged. I wait and pray and wonder, “How long, Lord?” (Psalm 13:1) It’s not that I lack faith, but rather seek reassurance, added confidence, and motivation to continue moving forward in these ways described as “the new normal,” which feel anything but normal to me. I need to be reminded to focus not on my weakness, but on Christ’s strength.

I find much encouragement in Philippians 3. Even after many years of proclaiming the Gospel and teaching others to be servants of Christ, Paul admits that he cannot achieve righteousness except “that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (v. 9). Paul makes it clear that Christian growth is a lifelong process. It takes endurance. Life will throw many obstacles in our path, but we must not focus on those things that slow us down. Rather, we must focus on Christ as our goal. God calls us to be his people, and through the gift of Christ he has invited us into his kingdom. We must continually press on knowing that it is not through our own righteousness, but because Christ has made us his own that we will stand justified before God.

Michael Dean

December 10

Thursday, December 10:  Habakkuk 2:1-4

“Live by faith” seems like a simple answer and reminds me of when those with familiarity speak to those who are perhaps not as equipped. If an experienced skier was asked how to get down the mountain their answer will likely be very straightforward. They would instruct a person to point their skis downhill, avoid obvious obstacles, wedge if needed, and to turn their skis into the mountain at the bottom to stop. For them this is simple. However, the person who has never skied before is wondering how they are going to put their boots on, attach their skis, safely get on and off the ski lift, maintain their balance, and get pointed in the right direction. What is simple for one is very complex for the other.

The same is true in applying this simple but challenging principle of scripture. Habbakuk 2:4 is quoted three times in the New Testament. The principle is that all of us who desire a relationship with God are dependent on the graciously available faith that God provides and requires. All of us on the advent journey to deepen our relationship with God, whether just starting out or far down the road have the same challenge. We must understand that trusting God means to believe what He has promised, to depend on Him, and to walk in the truth that we have been taught. When we find ourselves overcome, stressed out, and fed up, may we simply trust the God who delivers on His schedule. Do not just live, do not just have faith. But live by faith. It is this simple complexity that calls us, compels us, challenges us, and eventually calms us.

Justin Dunn

December 9

Wednesday, December 9:  Psalm 27:7-14

Are you good at waiting? To be honest, I do not typically enjoy waiting. If I anticipate something good will happen, such as the births of my two daughters, then the waiting experience was excellent! But if I just had a medical lab test, I may not enjoy waiting for the report to come to me. When Mary and Joseph headed to Bethlehem, they likely knew Mary was near her due date. But that pregnancy was so unique, who knows what they thought along the way!

We do not know the specific circumstances in David’s life when he wrote Psalm 27, but he had some “adversaries” (27:11). As usual, he reached out to God in prayer. He knew God was loving and caring, but David hoped he could see God’s face (27:8-9). Today I often wish I could see the faces of friends and family. Using technology such as Zoom, I can see their faces, but I usually see people with masks on. David trusted God to help him, but he desired a more vivid revelation of God.

David concluded this Psalm with sound advice for himself and for us. Twice in verse 14 he insisted “Wait for the LORD.” The season of Advent reminds us that God’s people waited for the appearance of God’s promised Messiah. Christians know Jesus fulfilled God’s promise of a Savior. Patty and I gave our daughters, Amy and Karen, Advent calendars when they were young. Pragmatically, maybe the calendars gave them some psychological control over their growing excitement during the countdown to Christmas day. But as they matured, they learned that waiting for God is an ongoing spiritual posture. Whatever your life situation might be during Advent 2020, you and I can faithfully wait on God. We may grow weary of the many changes in our world this year, but God met our deepest needs when he provided our Savior. And God will continue to guide us today.

Warren McWilliams

December 8

Tuesday, December 8:  Psalm 27:4-5

            There are many things that might make us fearful in these days. From a global pandemic and its threats, to troubling events in politics or society, to personal difficulties or uncertainty about the future, we regularly confront situations that can make us fearful. However, as this psalm teaches, we needn’t be afraid.

In response to the troubles of life and as an antidote to fear, the psalmist expresses his confidence in God (vv. 1-6) and prays for God’s deliverance (vv. 7-14). Because the Lord is his light, he need not fear dark times. Because the Lord is his salvation, he need not fear disaster. Because the Lord is his stronghold, he need not feel vulnerable. “Whom shall I fear?” he asks exultantly. The answer, “No one.” Not evildoers who plot against him, not false witnesses who threaten him in court, not those who menace him with bodily harm, not even the possibility of an invading army: he will fear none of them, for he is confident in God (vv. 1-3, 12).

            How did he achieve this state of repose? By seeking the presence of God in worship, and by entrusting himself to the power of God in prayer. In worship, he draws near to God, “beholds” God’s glory, and is thus assured of God’s help (vv. 4-6). In prayer, he unburdens himself of his fears, importunes God’s guidance and protection, and acquires such confidence that he can tell us, “Wait for the Lord” (vv. 7-14). To “wait for the Lord” is not to engage in wishful thinking or to deny our circumstances. Rather, this waiting recognizes God’s power and goodness and confidently expects their manifestation on our behalf.

Like the psalmist, we can overcome our fears and find courage to sustain us by means of worship and prayer. And in this Advent season, we can remember this good word: “Fear not, for I bring you good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2.10).

Charles Swadley

December 7

Monday, December 7:  Psalm 27:1

Formalized Christmas light competitions are a recent Christmas season development. Cities, towns and media programming sponsor competitions to see who can have the most creative Christmas light configurations at their homes. Bigger and more dramatic win!

Humans gravitate toward lights! It’s a natural part of our human experience. Regardless of geographic location or time period, humans share the common experience of nighttime and daytime. Nighttime and darkness represent the unknown, uncertainty, and fear while daytime and light represent vision, clarity, certainty and hope.

These meanings have been present in our souls since the beginning when God said, “’Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:3-4 NIV).

The Psalmist in today’s verse praises God for his goodness and truth when he says, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 NIV). The reminder is light is stronger and dispels fear and darkness.

God’s light comes full circle in John 8:12 when Jesus says, “‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (NIV).

As we enter this Advent season of 2020, a year filled with more than its share of fears and uncertainties, let us not forget we serve a God who separates light from darkness, and who sent his Son to be our light and salvation. Life may seem hard and dark at times, but we celebrate every day that Jesus is the light of the world! Praise be to God!

Kaylene Barbe

December 6

Make Way

Picture a desert of rock, not dunes,
hot wind through the leaves
of a lone acacia tree
standing like a signpost in the distance.
The grade grows steep
as the valleys deepen. Boulders
big enough to cast a shadow
one might shelter in, or try,
in the sunbaked afternoon. Runnels
of smaller, loosened rocks
where rain must once have rushed,
if one can fathom rain in such a place.
The thirsty land throws roadblocks
over ground that seems bent
against the premise of a path.
What wilderness welcomes
a road? What valley straightens
its spine, what mountain
bows down from its height?

 But look: a road flat and straight
through the jagged rocks and ravines.
A path wide enough for a man to walk
beside his donkey, on which might ride
a woman with child. A route
between two backwaters, from Nazareth
to Bethlehem. A way.

 Brent Newsom