Imagine Serenity: Advent series - Christian Lindbeck

This world will shake you,
split you,
break you.
It will delight you,
and afright you.

Roiling inside us
are currents
and eddies -
emotions that battle
and pummel.
As we approach 
this season
we carry a backpack 
of expectations,
dread and cynicism,
where tiny bubbles of hope
rise delicately to the surface
and pop.

Let us speak peace
as a whisper of hope
and not reprimand.

In the humbug
and pressure,
in the rush and fumble-
let us imagine serenity;
let it enter us as breath
and infuse
us with Truth -
deeper truth, 
truer truth.

This we know.
This we know.

When the whirlpools begin,
back up the view
until the swirling speck
seems inconsequential
in comparison
to the ocean of Truth.
Then dwell awhile.
Enjoy the view.

And as your head lifts,
and your load lightens
just a fraction,
hear the heavenly strains
behind the brassy jingles,
see angels
in disguise
and step forward
into the peace
of His most 
generous
gifts.

Ps. 94:18; Ps. 42:45; Phil. 4:6-7; Ps. 71; Prov. 12:25; 2 Tim. 1:7; Ps. 103