from 2022’s Advent study, The Voices of Advent by Katie Rouse
We’ve all had dreams,
haven’t we?
Both those while deep asleep
and with eyes wide open
to possibility and hope.
Dreams are a driving force,
whether we believe it or not,
of hope and gumption—
we take risks on dreams,
on impossible things,
begging for their moment
in stark-bright reality.
Joseph had four dreams
during Advent.
Well, likely more,
awake each time the lovely
child nursed at his now-wife’s breast.
But four in the night,
directing his every next steps.
Protection, their main theme:
protect the innocent,
protect the story,
protect from shame,
protect from death.
Each time, he obeys.
He opens his eyes,
and does the directed thing.
Quietly, softly, he leads
his family—donkey,
wife, child, self.
He might’ve died
if he had stayed
and protected beyond
each dream’s scope.
Maybe we can learn to listen
from Joseph’s steady, wordless
study and student-moves
beneath each new dream.
Maybe he too learned
from the shepherds
and the magi,
whose dreams were visionary,
reality colliding with their hope.
Maybe that’s what dreams
are always meant for:
to give us hope
for the questions we’re too afraid to ask.
How do I lead?
How do I leave?
How do I love?