Advent 2025 "Keep Patiently Hanging On"
- Emma Major
- Dec 30, 2025
- 4 min read
During advent this year I wrote a poem every day inspired by the phrase "keep patiently hanging on". I had intended to write and paint each day about social justice, but in the end I decided to be more relaxed and less constrained. I do not know what might emerge from these poems and paintings in the future, but I hope they bless you.
Advent 1
The last leaf to fall
Hangs on despite exhaustion
Seasonal chaos
...
Advent 2
Life's an adventure
A faithful quest
Each day's a new chance
Put to the test
We stumble and fall
Then again rise anew
With God as our light
Guiding us through
Reading the scriptures
We're reminded to be
A blessing to strangers
And to act lovingly
Praying every day
We patiently wait
For hope's bright flame
A better world to create
...
Advent 3
Your gentle presence
Whenever you are near
A gift beyond words
A gift beyond words
Watching the night become day
Liminal dawn light
Liminal dawn light
Warming the winter woodland
Your gentle presence
...
Advent 4
Undone by injustice
Let's start a revolution
Full of grace and love
...
Advent 5
Burnout levels life
Flames flicker fading to black
Rest is required
...
Advent 6
A string stretched tight
Then cut in two
A lamp that flickered
Yet darkness grew
A memory snapped
As pain seeped through
A whispered longing
To feel brand new
A fragile hope
A whispered plea
For new solutions
That set us free
...
Advent 7
On the road to nowhere
I learned to love myself
Respect myself
Value myself
Crossing thresholds of doubt
I wrote my story, sung my truth
And released my pain
Finally finding my peace
In forest whispers
And spirit filled silence
I defeated dread
On the crests of waves
Drenched in memories
Steaming with tears
I discovered hope
Sparkling with the stars
...
Advent 8
Moon flames reveal pain
Yet as long as you love me
Scars remain unseen
...
Advent 9
Saltwater is the earth's oldest prayer
Hands struggle to hold the truth of it's essence
God writes on every wave what we all fear to say
As those who surf the frozen crests give thanks for it's presence
...
Advent 10
Grey skies weep blessings
Rain soaks into frozen souls
Hope washes regret
...
Advent 11
I don't remember apathy
Feeling unconcerned about travesty
Perhaps it was never part of me
Because frankly, honestly
I think I've always felt too deeply
Worried about events globally
Reflected introspectively
Prayed for each calamity
It's always been the core of me
That's why I write poetry
Daily, hourly, constantly
Finding meaning in uncertainty
Holding my nerves carefully
Putting words to emotionality
It's my favourite form of therapy
As words flow from deep inside of me
I can examine feelings abstractly
Without them overwhelming reality
By framing them creatively
I can think more clearly
Feel more sensitively
And live more hopefully
...
Advent 12
Red is a fire burning bright
Blue is the sky in morning light
Green is the grass where children play
Yellow the sun to light the day
Purple a flower soft and deep
Colours of the world never sleep
All mixed together a beautiful sight
Our wonderful planet filled with light
...
Advent 13
A heavy cloud begins to fade
As sunshine forms a light cascade
Our worries slowly start to mend
A hopeful future without end.
The path ahead becomes more clear
No more haunted by icy fear
A quiet strength begins to bloom
Erasing shadows in the gloom
...
Advent 14
Waking from a dream
Dust motes dance in golden streams
Soft light filters through
...
Advent 15
Love builds confidence
Around cozy fireplaces
Warm hearths offer hope
...
Advent 16
Dear moon way up high
Watching the world go slowly by
You see the shadows long and deep
While weary people try to sleep
Tell us your secrets old and vast
Of futures here and shadows past
Shine down on us with gentle love
Blessing all from up above
Do you hear my words unheard by most
A quiet whisper almost lost
You are my constant silent friend
Hearing my thoughts until the end
No judgment given and no advice
You listen without any price
Thank you for being a gentle ear
Calming my heart and erasing fear
...
Advent 17
Don't hold your daydreams
Let them fly free from your hands
Igniting justice
Igniting justice
Destroy inequality
Suturing the soul
...
Advent 18
Let's meet on the moon
Rebirthing our long lost dreams
Where grace gathers love
Where grace gathers love
Seasonal shifts ebb slowly
Encouraging rest
...
Advent 19
When the bells ring out
Don't forget I'll be waiting
Impatiently
Impatiently
Promises are forgotten
Silencing singing
Silencing singing
Hope is hypnotising light
When the bells ring out
...
Advent 20
Moonlit opalite
Dreams held within frosted glass
Soft gentle spirit
Soft gentle spirit
Warm beneath the embers glow
Refining love's fire
...
Advent 21
If fear flew away
My heart would lovingly say
Forgive every day
...
Advent 22
Are we nearly there yet?
Have we escaped from the darkest weeks
That seem to stretch into forever
As we tilt ever further from the sun
Has the turn yet begun?
Does the light beyond a window break that tiny bit earlier
Might that be spring I see emerging
From the dark cold depths of winter
...
Advent 23
Snow fall confession
To the frozen sky above
Laughter melts the ice
Secrets long held tight defrost
Warm winter sun rises high
...
Advent 24
Fleeting feelings of failure
Chase swiftly after each other
Avoiding catalytic explosions
Riding the riptide of emotions
Enshrouded in dark shadows
Light is obscured by paths too narrow
Reflecting on anxious moments
Rainbows suggest elopement
Before finally finding release
Guided by the compass of peace
...
Advent 25
Earth sighs on this silent night
Cradling our lives in the comfort of love
As peace descends in celestial light
Songs effervesce with joy from God above
...
Christmas Day
Snow falls soft in gentle hush
A quiet peace no need to rush
The fire glows with cozy light
No hurried steps or fret tonight
Old carols sung on holy ground
Connect us here safe and sound
Such simple joys for grateful hearts
Bring those together who were apart
The world outside may rush and spin
But Christmas peace dwells deep within
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