Muddling Through Advent

Distracted by tinsel, lights, sloth and greed,

He muddled through Advent that year,

Ignoring Isaiah’s exhortations,

Ignoring the Baptist’s insights,

Parrying the Spirit’s inner promptings

With paltry excuses, shallow excuses.

All this has rendered him truly human,

Suspended in tension between temptation and

The need to prepare himself

For the coming of the Christ.

--December 9, 2013