December 19, 2012

Advent

I love the season of Advent. In it, we set our eyes on Messiah's arrival. We prepare to receive the newborn in a lowly manger at Bethlehem, to celebrate the coming of Messiah Jesus into the world. We receive again the message of God’s kingdom come. And we look forward to Jesus’ coming again and the establishment of God’s new creation. In Advent, we wait, we wait for a miracle...  


Waiting for a Miracle

In the darkness She comes.
In the quiet cold He approaches.
Spirit speaks, mouths muted.
Waiting for a miracle.
Child unborn;
Young mother, in the darkness waits.
Promise yet fulfilled;
Hope.
In mass of humanity
Angel speaks;
Promise.

Yet, injustice reigns.
In the valley of death’s shadow
Humanity sits.
Death’s dark shadow lingers.
Sin crouches at the door.
Good news for the poor?
Captives released?
The oppressed liberated?
Where?
How long will you hide yourself, O Lord?
Will you hide yourself forever?
Remember your servants,
Those who suffer for your name’s sake.

Holy Spirit broods
Over this world so broken.
Waiting, longing, listening.
For those who will say,
Yes, Lord!
I will follow,
I will listen,
I will wait,
For You.
In the darkness of this world,
So broken,
Still groaning,
Longing for another Day.
I will follow,
I will listen,
I will wait,
For Messiah.
God’s promise fulfilled.
Love, come down.
Mystery, revealed in the darkness.

Behold, the Man!
Who has come, who will come, who always comes.
Advent, coming.
In the darkness, hope and joy revealed;
Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
Righteousness and peace kiss.
Messiah comes,
Bringing light and life;
Shalom and freedom.

Will we receive him, again?

January 29, 2012

Kierkegaard on Anxiety

Soren Kierkegaard on "the concept of anxiety":

One sticks one’s finger into the soil to tell by the smell in what land one is: I stick my finger in existence — it smells of nothing. Where am I? Who am I? How came I here? What is this thing called the world? What does this world mean? Who is it that has lured me into the world? Why was I not consulted, why not made acquainted with its manners and customs instead of throwing me into the ranks, as if I had been bought by a kidnapper, a dealer in souls? How did I obtain an interest in this big enterprise they call reality? Why should I have an interest in it? Is it not a voluntary concern? And if I am to be compelled to take part in it, where is the director? I should like to make a remark to him. Is there no director? Whither shall I turn with my complaint?