23 December 2017
Wild Lights, Detroit Zoo
Detroit, Michigan
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Category Archives: Advent
I saw joy
I was feeling grumpy.
OK, I was feeling grumpy-er. Always play to one’s strengths.
I was walking down Fifth Avenue, heading to Rockefeller Center.
Visitors to New York filled the sidewalk. They stopped in the middle and made quick turns. They abruptly countermarched, heading back uptown without warning.
My blood pressure rose. My ire increased. And then I saw her.
She sat in a wheel chair, looking at the lights and the sights.
I do not know her name and never learned her story. It was inappropriate to ask. But I wondered.
Was this her first time in New York – the culmination of a long-time dream?
Was she a long-time city resident?
Was this an annual visit?
In the end, the reason mattered not. All that mattered was her face.
She glowed. Amazement. Wonder. Delight. Many words could describe her face and bearing. But the one that works best for me, is joy. Simple joy. Pure joy. Unabashed joy. I have not seen such joy often, but I have seen it enough that I recognize it when I do.
I saw joy that day and I carried it in my heart to Rockefeller Center. I hope it showed, just a little, on my face.
See you along the trail.
P.S. – the photo was taken inside the Time Warner Center on the same day. I did not get any photos at Rockefeller Center. I will be back.
#Gather, #AdventWord
The Advent devotional project, #AdventWord is offered by the Society of St John the Evangelist. Each day a word is provided and participants are invited to share images and/or reflections and to use hashtags so our reflections may be included in an Advent Calendar with others from around the world.
Filed under Advent, Antiracism, New York, Photo
#Journey #AdventWord
The Advent devotional project, #AdventWord is offered by the Society of St John the Evangelist. Each day a word is provided and participants are invited to share images and/or reflections and to use hashtags so our reflections may be included in an Advent Calendar with others from around the world.
#Awaken #AdventWord
The Advent devotional project, #AdventWord is offered by the Society of St John the Evangelist. Each day a word is provided and participants are invited to share images and/or reflections and to use hashtags so our reflections may be included in an Advent Calendar with others from around the world.
It comes this night
It comes this night.
Faintly,
ever so faintly,
it comes.
Above the roar
of anger and hatred,
Above the howl
of prejudice and bigotry,
Above the maelstrom
of systems and structures,
Above the crash
of violence and war,
Above the groan
of doubt and despair,
Above the dis-ease
of heartache and heartbreak
Above the tumult
of turmoil and trouble
Above the clamor
of struggle and strife
Above it all,
despite it all
because of it all,
It comes.
Faintly,
ever so faintly,
it comes.
A baby’s cry,
proclaiming
life and
love and
justice and
peace and
hope,
this night
and all nights.
24 December 2016
Goochland, Virginia
Filed under Advent, Poem, Uncategorized
