“In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You are aware of the beating of your heart. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.” — Frederick Buechner
Stirred Angels stir the waters and we awaken, roused at last from slumber deep. We’re getting ready to receive. Our inner spirit had been sleeping, blissfully unaware, now it seems that God is calling. He is close—he is near. We can hear his holy footsteps because an unfolding advent, a season of awakening begins with this—this sudden impartation, this stirring of mind and heart. This call to listen, pay attention, and respond. Yes, yes, our souls sing silently as the mists part, the darkness yields itself to light, the shadowed dullness flees, replaced by illumination, bright luminosity is seen. To what end are we stirred like this, awakened, we know not yet, but still we rise inside, propelled by a holy purpose waiting to be revealed to us. Great change is in the air we breathe, scenting the atmosphere with silvery notes of promise, with hope, with an opening, a hint of blossoming to come. If only we would notice, and follow the path set out before us, be it rocky, smooth or hard, get ready to walk, leap or jump. © joylenton
“The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord” — Henri Nouwen
Friends, it is a time for awe and wonder to predominate. A season in which we watch and wait. A moment to pause and catch our breath before we become too embroiled in Christmas busyness. And it’s a time to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here, for the shared conversations, thoughtful comments, and prayers.
I look forward to sharing life’s poetic rhythms with you again on January 14th, when I will have some special news to share! 🎄🌟May your Christmas and New Year celebrations be full of joy, and may you life be blessed with abundant hope, healing, and peace in the year ahead. 🌟🎄Blessings and love. Xox 😊💟❤️
Dear Joy, thank you for sharing these lovely watching and waiting for Advent thoughts. It is a Wonder to me that he also is calling to me to awaken, even as he has called me aside to rest. God’s ways are certainly higher than hours. I want to pause my own kind of numbness and sleepiness, so that he can awaken in me his true heart. Thank you for the ways your poetry always stirs the deep places in my heart. Sending you so much love and blessings at Christmas! XOXO
Dear Bettie, I’m joining you in wanting to “pause my own kind of numbness and sleepiness” so I can awaken to God’s footsteps in my heart and his presence in my midst. It feels strange sometimes to think of winter being a season of awakening when the natural world is hibernating, calmed and stilled. But perhaps that’s how we ought to be, mirroring creation’s stillness and receptivity to change. I’m so glad God uses the form of poetic expression to stir you deeply within. I respond to poetry in the same way. Much love, blessings, joy, peace, and safe hugs to you at Christmas! xoxo 💟
Thank you for this gift, Joy. Please keep my 91 year old Dad, George, in your prayers. He tested positive for COVID at the Assisted Living facility where he lives. 💜💜
Oh, that’s potentially a big concern for you, dear Michael. I’m grateful you shared it here so I can pray for George, and for you, too, my friend. May whatever the enemy might intend for harm be a vessel from which unexpected good will come. Thinking of you all. Stay hopeful. x 💜❤️
Thank you so much my dear Joy 💜💜
Thank you Joy for all the wisdom tucked into your words. Have a Blessed Christmas.
Hard won and grace-wrought wisdom, I must confess! 😉 I’m glad you were blessed here, Shirley. May your Christmas celebrations provide a welcome oasis of quiet, peace, hope, and joy. xo 💟🌟