First Sunday of Advent: a poem

This poem is shared here as part of a Patheos-wide series of Advent meditations. Read the others here.

Anything Useful

If you came to church for anything useful today,
forget it.

Anything practical:
three points to help you in the Monday workplace,
two tips for witnessing to your coworkers,
five guides to a good marriage.

If you came to church for the hats,
coffee,
cookies,
friends,
family,
cheese,
pew cushions,
happy songs,
warm feelings,
or even a blessing,
forget it.

This is the first Sunday of Advent.

Lo, He comes with clouds descending, once for ransomed sinners slain.

The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.

Originally published at Ben Camino as “Ironic Advent Mediation #5.”