Tag Archives: Advent

Mary and the Threefold Terror of Love

By Robin Bates | Published: December 16, 2023

Yeats’ “Mother of God” is a good poem for the third Sunday in Advent.

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Light in a Time of Darkness

By Robin Bates | Published: December 9, 2023

Allan Boesak’s “Advent Credo” reminds us that Advent is a time of radical hope.

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A Shadow Falls, the Book Glows

By Robin Bates | Published: December 2, 2023

As we enter a season of darkness, this Rilke poem reminds us to listen for the numinous.

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Mary Sang in This World Below

By Robin Bates | Published: December 11, 2022

Tolkien’s poem “Noel” celebrates Mary’s “Magnificat.”

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Thou Cam’st a Little Baby Thing

By Robin Bates | Published: December 3, 2022

George MacDonald’s “That Holy Thing” dramatically makes the point that God doesn’t show up in our lives as we expect or think we want.

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Recovering a Child’s Sense of Wonder

By Robin Bates | Published: December 18, 2021

In this Christmas tree poem, T.S. Eliot seeks to reconnect with his childhood sense of wonder.

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When the Maker of the Stars Was Born

By Robin Bates | Published: December 4, 2021

In this Advent poem, L’Engle reminds us to sing, not in spite of times being dark, but BECAUSE times are dark.

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A Barn Shall Harbor Heaven

By Robin Bates | Published: December 19, 2020

In Richard Wilbur’s “Christmas Hymn,” low and high meet as we have the promise of worlds reconciled.

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Remember the Real Meaning of Christmas

By Robin Bates | Published: November 28, 2020

Jim McPherson’s “Christmas Humbug” reminds us what the Advent season should really be about.

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