On the Edge of Peace and Advent Poem #2: Peace. Readings from Sunday’s Worship Service

On the Edge of Peace

Advent is a time of waiting.

Waiting in the dark, on the edge of the Light that is coming.

Waiting on the edge of Peace.

As we wait for the presence of Christ,

what Peace are we waiting for Christ’s Light to bring?

What Peace are we longing for?

When we look around in this darkness…

We see unrest on our borders

And we see persecution of people in the land where Jesus came from.

We see people fighting to suppress others

And people desperate to be seen.

We see powers at war

And the powerless with no escape.

We long for the Light in this Darkness.

Restore us, O God.

We wait for you to shine your Light over here

Where we stand

On the edge of Peace.

Jennifer Melton

 Advent Poem #2: Peace

In a world gone hysterical with phobia,

Foaming at the mouth about rights and retaliation,

Spewing propaganda and violence

towards flesh-and-blood humans

In a world where God is twisted into a

Thirsting need for power,

Dominating others who tremble

at their version of a kingdom

In a world that blames the victims,

Accusing the innocent of crimes,

Blocking entrance to the outcasts

who cry for shelter from bitter cold.

Into this world came a baby

Struggling in his mangy crib,

Reminding us that the divine

was housed in the humble, the helpless.

So in this world we pray:

Blessed are those who hunger for right,

Righteous are those who strive for peace,

and peaceful are those who learn to Love.

Teryn O’Brien