I am standing on the edge of Advent

when this drunk with spittle on his chin,

clothes and body reeking,

comes to my door.

He can’t read or write and says he’s from Alabama

and can I get him a meal and a place to stay.

(It is more of a demand than a request.)

I fill out a form following proper procedure and

send him down the street to a place where

they take care of

people like him.

I am standing on the edge of Advent

about an hour later

when this drunk with spittle on his chin,

clothes and body reeking,

comes up to me as I’m pumping gas into my car.

He asks for directions to the place where

they take care of

people like him.

Once again, I show him how to get there and

send him away.

He didn’t recognize me!

He didn’t recognize me as the man at the church

who sent him away.

People who send him away look all the same

to him.

I am standing on the edge of Advent

waiting for Jesus

and sending

people like him

away.