Advent
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Advent 16
Every Christmasthe angel Gabrielreturns to earthbringing a revelatory visionto another of earth's wanderers.As with Mary,he hopes for brave surrender,for another holy "Yes." What if this Christmashe chooses you?From what fearful depthwill you answer?And how? Text and image © 2011 by Dirk… Continue reading
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Advent 15
I write beside our Christmas tree.Its branches embracenot only the ornaments, lights and memories,but also the mist of old souls,old souls who bring patience,wisdom, hope and comfort. One year,when my soul has ripened,it will earn its placewithin the branches,within the… Continue reading
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Advent 14
Like Scrooge's trinity of ghosts,the Beloved takes my handand flies me skywardamong dark Winter's stars,beyond my sapped vision,beyond this succession of pea-sized moments,beyond my desk of dust and yellowing paper, endless analysis and digitized disorder…and for one brief momentreveals… Continue reading
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Advent 13
All our liveswe pursue the limitless Knower,the immense Unknown,the One to whom belongsall true knowing,simply(little selves)to know that we are known. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Robert Frost Revisited
Two roads divergedwithin the snow-filled woods–and I? I chose the one less traveled–and got stuck. "This," I said aloud,"is your fault, Robert Frost,and I curse you and your poem." Fortunately, I carry a collapsible snow shovelin the trunk of my… Continue reading
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Advent 12
"You're pregnant," says Gabriel,forcing Mary–unsuspecting teenager–to plunge deeper than ever before(we would assume)soulward for some placeto ground this unfathomable annuciation. Today, what say the angels to youthat turns you inwardto drag out unimagined resourceshidden deep in your own battered soul?… Continue reading
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Advent 10
"Open your eyes," Jesus says,which means that some of uschoose blindness. "Join the company of the open hearts,the unafraid, the welcoming!" Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Advent 7
Believe whatever you wantabout the birth stories of Jesus–let's talk about what they mean. Don't miss the pointby getting hung up on factuality. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Advent 6
Light breaks through. For ancient Romethe empire represented light–light for the world–the light of the emperor,the light of god. And along come Matthew, Luke, John–all making the radical (dangerous!) claimthat this new one, this baby, this neonateis the actual light of the world–not… Continue reading