The Comforts of "Home"

I'm back in my hometown for Christmas. There is an 11" blanket of snow on the ground and homemade cookies in the cookie jar. People are still angry about the noise pollution from the airport and Twin Peaks Mall is still a blight on society. Tebow fever is raging and Kathy Sabine's coat sleeves are too short.

Not much changes around here.

And I like it. I like coming "home" to this familiar, pokey town. With so much changing in my life these days, I find comfort in this town.

Gettin' Ready

I confess I usually don't give enough attention to Advent. I don't think I'm alone. It is difficult being a student and having to worry about finals in December. Who has time for Advent? Who has time to prepare for Christ?

In my spiritual direction group this week, we looked at a Mary Oliver poem. It seemed appropriate for Advent, so I'm going to post it as my Advent gift to you.

Making the House Ready for the Lord

Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but
Still nothing is as shining as it should be
for you. Under the sink, for example, is an
uproar of mice—it is the season of their
many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves
and through the walls the squirrels
have gnawed their ragged entrances—but it is the season
when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And
the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard
while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow;
what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling
in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly
up the path, to the door. And still I believe you will
come, Lord: you will, when I speak to the fox
the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know
that really I am speaking to you whenever I say,
as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.


Even when I fail at Advent, Christ still comes. Even when I fail daily to invite God in, God comes anyway. In this I find peace.