Advent Oddessy

The new book for Christmas 2012.

From rhyme and free verse to narrative meditation, there will be something in 'Advent Oddessy'  for most tastes. 
Don't expect to like it all or to find all the pieces 'comfortable' or 'nice'  because there was little that was comfortable  about that first Advent.   The 'wise men' only appear in passing due to their being late to the party. And here we won't dabble with the villain of the piece - Herod doesn't  feature at all. 

 to sample some of the pages click on this.   Better still, follow the prompts and BUY a copy.  Makes a great Christmas present so buy one for someone else too!

Advent Oddessy by Keith Wallis | Make Your Own Book

sometimes as shepherds

Sometimes as shepherds.

Sometimes as shepherds afraid, grimy,
ashamed of our shabbiness
we approach the manger-cross.
Sometimes as kings, haughty, self-assured
confident of our position
we approach the manger-cross.

Sometimes as shepherds.
And we come,
shepherds,
slowly, and still in fear
nothing to offer, nothing of worth,
to this manger-cross holy place:
set aside in time and space for purpose.
Each forward step
a warming, glowing friendship greets us.
Each step closer to tears,
each broken-hearted step
a step closer to the mending heart of God.

Sometimes as kings.
And we come,
kings,
purposeful and determined
gold-incense present-carrying
to this manger-cross holy place:
set aside in time and space for purpose.
Each forward step
a disarming, glowing furnace melts our offering.
Each step closer to fear
each fear inducing step
a step closer to the restoring heart of God.

Sometimes as shepherds,
though mostly as kings,
we come to our places of manger-cross:
in church, at home, at the unexpected moment,
to receive
not the Christmas present
but
the ever present
Christ.