Four Advents

Christ’s Advent comes four times--first in the past:
from heaven He came to Mary “full of grace,”
and Judgment Day--the fourth--will be the last,
when He comes to the entire human race.

The second Advent’s Now, we celebrate
that first one with our gifts and Christmas tree,
the third one’s great, I do not know the date--
the Advent when at death Christ comes for me.

The second seems the least, yet Now’s the best,
for Now is when my own Advent must start.
What makes Now tower over all the rest?
Now is when Christ must come into my heart.

None of these Advents matter, Lord, it’s true,
unless I open my heart and welcome You.

                            by Pete Voelz     12/2/14