Strange Advent

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me,

And do not hinder them, for the kingdom heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

 

Have you not heard?

Christmas has been cancelled.

There’s to be no celebration,

and no meeting and greeting,

during the Advent season.

 

So, please tell the wise men,

In their four-wheeled drives:

they can return home to Persia,

for the family they are seeking,

have now lost their way.

 

Fortunately – or not,

they’ve found the means,

through eager greedy men –

so very happy to help –

 only needing to be paid,

to send them on their way.

 

  So, the refugee family,

fleeing from danger,

do finally arrive,

to where the sea divides;

across to where they pray,

safety will finally lay.

 

Their last money is now spent,

with the familiar greedy men:

by paying for the transport,

meant to carry them over,

to where they can recover,

in the distant promised land.

 

                                                          In despair – ignoring portents,

they give their consent,

to board the flimsy raft:

Yusef – Maryam – and child;

they are – as always will be,

lost refugees cast upon the sea.

 

Such a strange Advent;

star-shells illuminating

the Boarder Force – seeking

abroad the recessive sea;

while fishermen now dread,

what may lie in their nets.

 

So, have you not heard?

Christmas has been cancelled.

with no celebrations;

no meeting and greeting,

in the holiday season.

The Christ-child is not to be found:

                                                                   

                                                                    He is drowned

 

                                                               © D G Moody 2023