Advent

We tend to weave together all the Christmas stories and traditions into a richly colourful tapestry... but every now and then its interesting to take just one thread ...  for example, this year we begin looking at the Gospel of Matthew... and when we step inside his nativity stories we soon discover that they are told from the point of view of Joseph, and [probably true to the culture of that era ] Mary has no say at all.

“I see the hands of Joseph. 

Back and forth along bare wood they move.

There is worry in those working hands, 

sorting out confusing thoughts with every stroke.

“How can this be, my beautiful Mary now with child?”  

Rough with deep splinters, these hands, 

small, painful splinters like tiny crosses 

embedded deeply in this choice to stay with her. 

He could have closed his hands to her, 

said, “No” and let her go to stoning.

But, dear Joseph opened both his heart and hands

to this mother and her child.

Preparing in these days before 

with working hands 

and wood pressed tight between them.

It is these rough hands that will open

and be the first to hold the Child...”       from Advent Hands, by Catherine Alder

During Advent this December you might also like...

An Advent Calendar via daily emails from the Middle East :  www.embraceme.org

Poems for Advent :  www.journeywithjesus.net