Liturgical Christians, Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians keep a season called Advent, four weeks before Christmas. It is a difficult practice, because it calls us to be thoughtful. Thoughtful?! You mean making a list and checking it twice? No. Advent is a time to acknowledge the truth that we hide from, behind our shopping lists and party schedules, the truth of emptiness and brokenness, in ourselves and in the world. We are surrounded by Ho Ho Ho. Advent says Hmm.
Advent says, Yes we will rejoice, because the baby, The Baby is born. And yet. And yet...
This has been a hard week. Our defenses against the darkness have been found wanting. And yet. And yet...
Advent says, Yes we will rejoice, because the baby, The Baby is born. And yet. And yet...
This has been a hard week. Our defenses against the darkness have been found wanting. And yet. And yet...
by Leonard Cohen
The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
of every government --
signs for all to see.
I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me.
Ring the bells that still can ring ...
You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
on your little broken drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
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