Veni. Gaude!

Second Sunday forecast
snow. 915 – a tiny
flake? another. more . 930 –
only barren trees shrouded in a clouded sky.

I’d been so –
expectant, if only for a moment –and,
had already told Maisie.

She remembers ‘first snow’
(so long ago) silently
falling through the darkness
sensing it, barking till we went outside
her collar broke as she leapt in puppy wonder
over and over into the air.

we deck the halls! (with
green, gold and red) broadcast
snappy holiday tunes, yet
quieter themes have also been set in motion.

In cathedrals
and the smallest chapel
Advent preparations are the same.

Four candles –
three of blue or violet –
stand amidst a circle of greens
HOPE, already lighted will
guide us to the candle of BETHLEHEM and
on to the rose one of JOY (the
shepherd’s candle) – lighted last will be the ANGEL’s.

Even before Christendom
hope lay cradled among candles and
a gathering of greens – that spring would
bring light and new life to the land.

Gathered greens became the wreath
an 8th c. Gregorian chant and a
13th c. French melody became the song we
know by heart – O Come, O Come Emmanuel

The old year is done.

Come. Rejoice! in the New Year’s possibilities!