First Sunday of Advent 2016

Deo gratias

For early morning when darkness
is slow to leave, and a candle flame
reveals the persistence of light,

Deo gratias,
thanks be to God.

For the maple tree’s feisty root
pushing up through my sidewalk,
and all the messy forcefulness of life,

Deo gratias,
thanks be to God.

For the losses we must bear
and the friends who will not let us
carry the burden of grief alone,

Deo gratias,
thanks be to God.

For the one I want to name “my enemy”
and the mirror he may be to my own
unholy words, my own shameful actions,

Deo gratias,
thanks be to God.

For the injury, the illness, the wound,
and what these might teach us about
receiving a neighbor’s love,

Deo gratias,
thanks be to God.

For disappointed hopes and unfulfilled
dreams, and the doorways they
become to new possibilities,
 
Deo gratias,
thanks be to God.

For the eventide of this day and of this life,
when the Mystery of all mysteries grows near
and life glows most precious and full,

Deo gratias,
thanks be to God.

For this moment—
for this uncommon moment—
and for our common life,

Deo gratias,
thanks be to God.