I saw this poem online some years ago. It reminds me of the need for quiet and stillness. How else will we prepare for Advent?
“If, as Herod,
We fill our lives with things,
and again with things;
If we consider ourselves so important
That we must fill every moment
of our lives,
When will we have time
To make the long, slow journey
Across the burning desert
As did the Magi?
Or sit and watch the stars
As did the shepherds?
Or brood over the coming of the child
As did the Magi?
For each one of us
There is a desert to travel,
A star to discover,
And a being within ourselves
To bring to life.”
Author Unknown
Our journey begins in quietness and stillness …
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
Lamentations 3:25-26
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
My Soul in Stillness Waits
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
truly my hope is in you.
O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory,
your radiance shines in all who look to you,
come, light the hearts of all in dark and shadow.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
truly my hope is in you.
O Spring of Joy, rain down upon our spirits,
our thirsty hearts are yearning for your Word,
come, make us whole, be comfort to our hearts.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
truly my hope is in you.
O Root of Life, implant your seed within us,
and in your advent, draw us all to you,
our hope reborn in dying and in rising.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
truly my hope is in you.
O Key of Knowledge, guide us in our pilgrimage,
we ever seek, yet unfulfilled remain,
open to us the pathway of your peace.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
truly my hope is in you.
Come, let us bow before the God who made us,
let ev’ry heart be opened to the Lord,
for we are all the people of his hand.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
truly my hope is in you.
Here we shall meet the Maker of the heavens,
Creator of the mountains and the seas,
Lord of the stars, and present to us now.
Hymn by Marty Haugen
