Strange Advent

This one came after the loss of an Iranian family in the channel; and it seemed ironic, that as we, as a culture, were celebrating the birth of one refugee child, while another had drowned; such is our human condition.

                      Strange Advent                                                             

But Jesus said, “Suffer the little children, and forbid them not,

to come unto me: for of such

is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:14

Have you not heard?

Christmas has been cancelled.

There’ll be no celebration,

and no meeting and greeting,

in the Covid season.

So, please tell the wise men,

In their four-wheeled drives:

they can return home to Persia,

for the family they are seeking,

have now lost their way.

Fortunately – or not, they

seem to have found the means,

through greedy eager men –

so very happy to help –

 only needing to be paid,

to send them on their way.

So, the refugee family –

fleeing from danger,

do finally arrive,

to where the sea divides;

across to where they pray,

safety will finally lay.

Their last money is now spent,

with the familiar greedy men:

by paying for the transport,

meant to carry them over,

to where they can recover,

in the distant promised land.

In despair – ignoring portents,

they give their consent,

to board the flimsy raft:

Yusef – Maryam – and child;

they are – as always will be,

lost refugees cast upon the sea.

Such a strange Advent;

star-shells illuminating

the Boarder Force – seeking

abroad the recessive sea;

while fishermen now dread,

what may lie in their nets.

So, have you not heard?

Christmas has been cancelled.

with no celebrations;

no meeting and greeting,

in the Covid season.

The Christ-child is not to be found:

        he is drowned

                                               D G Moody 2020