12/20/15
Joey Morningstar
Psalm 29
Noise.
It radiates from Tobacco Plus, the busstop and the 5-stop sign free for all.
Car doors slam, stereo kits rumble, brakes screech,
hydraulics sigh, and strangers yell.
The noise seeps in through the windows,
humming an anxious lullaby through the night.
Do you hear what I hear?
Radio gloom breaks briefly muted mornings.
Mistrials, missiles, refugee refusals, extremists, executions,
pungent political personalities, reeking to high heaven,
poisoning wells, wagering war and fear-mongering,
all served with coffee and toast, no charge.
Do you hear, what I hear?
Out our open doors, families walk and whizz past.
And we pray, silently and aloud. That our arms would open like doors.
But open arms betray our hearts murmuring, muttering misgivings about glossy Sunday morning
Peace-talks. We know no peace.
Peace is a vintage, baby-boomer delusion and trite farewell.
Peace, that tie-dye tree frog, is a dollar store coloring book.
Pray for peace people everywhere.
Please. Passive aspirations pausing by the pulpit before expiring with the holiday playlists and pleasant faced post cards.
I know no peace.
The Apocalyptic Fear of ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ (The Atlantic)
Advent Resources
Light Upon Light: A Literary Guide to Prayer for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany edited by Sarah Arthur
Cardiphonia Resources for Advent compiled by Bruce Benedict
God is in the Manger by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Oak Church Advent Resources compiled by Chris Breslin
Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God by Bobby Gross
Mary Had a Baby: An Advent Bible Study Based on African American Spirituals by Cheryl Kirk-Duggan & Marilyn Thornton
Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp
Advent Calendar (poem) by Rowan Williams
God With Us edited by Gregory Wolfe
Why This Jubilee?: Advent Reflections on Songs of the Season by James Howell
