The Call of December

In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff in the air of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you’ve never been and a time you have no words for. You are aware of the beating of your heart. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.  

– Frederick Buechner

There is change in the air. 

Almost weighted with the unmistakable feeling that something wonderful is coming, something the heart and soul have been longing for, deep, yet unaware.

It’s December 1st and I've placed the first glittering jewel upon the gold-gilded calendar hand-made by my precious mom to count down the days. 24 days of waiting and wondering, praying and reflecting, all in anticipation of the day when we will celebrate the Christ child’s birth. 

I wrote the poem below, The Call of December, around this time last year after catching a glimpse of gold-colored leaves swirling around the back yard in a cold blast of wind. It stirred in my spirit the feeling of change, and the gladness of the Christmas season coming. 

The word Advent is derived from the Latin word Adventus, meaning coming. It is in these days of December, with grateful hearts, we take time to reflect on the Babe who came, and the One who still comes. . .

Immanuel – God with us. . .

The Greatest Gift ever given.

* * * 

Golden leaves dancing
On silvery breeze
Stirring up sacred visions
That the heart only sees

And the cool kiss of air
Whispers of things to come
Winter days lit with diamonds
At the breaking of dawn

It’s the call of December
Heard deep in the soul
With a cry from the manger
And the angels bent low

It’s the promise of heaven
Given one blessed night
The Gift from the Father
Making everything right

* * * 

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, 

was coming into the world. 

He came into the very world He created, but the world did not recognize Him. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. 

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

- John 1:9-14 NLT