Born again

The lantern rings the season in,

choired angels merry the hillside

with joy-filled anthems

and their searchlight glaze.

The sacred shout

of ‘fear not’

echoes through a universe

marinaded in dread.

For it is advent,

the birth pangs of Christmas

in valley and byway,

city or  town,

and change is in the air.

Hope is in danger of breaking out

amid the fiery breath of conflict

as followers of many stars

begin their gazing.

Streets and shops blanket the land

with manipulated joy

manufactured as a salesman

for the transient present.

But, anywhere,

in supermarket aisle

or reveled party, in a gift, a smile

or an act of kindness

love is born again.