Keeping Advent

In my parish home, the angels will run to the manger, as they do every year on the fourth Sunday in Advent. I used to be more of an Advent purist. Clearly I am not anymore. Still... I seem to keep Advent despite everything around me. Advent stays in place until Christmas comes. Even with angels running to the manger.

I find myself

Keeping  Advent

Even without the home wreath

This year

Even without purple

Or even blue

Accents.

I keep Advent

Watch the days

Grow short,

The dark comes sooner.

The pageant has inhabited

Advent four

With its final purple candle.

I will wait

On the periphery,

Still keep Advent

As I watch the angels run

To the manger

As they do

Every year

On Advent four.