Friday, December 16, 2011

Poetry Friday: Madeleine L'Engle

Christmas is coming. I'm not ready, but as Madeleine L'Engle reminds us, neither was the world.

First Coming

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace
He came when the Heavens were unsteady
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He died with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
He came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

Here's today's roundup.

8 comments:

Tabatha said...

Thanks, Ruth!

Janet said...

This is just what I need. It helps me be more at peace with not being ready.

GatheringBooks said...

Quite sad that people's measure of readiness nowadays are wrapped around material gifts, food (I'm imagining the left overs), and the excess of the frivolous, the mundane, and the worldly.

This poem has reminded me of that which I truly need to be ready for. :) Advent teaches patience with all the waiting. hahaha.

jama said...

What a beautiful poem -- comforting and uplifting. A good reminder of what the holiday season is really about.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog! Thanks for sharing meaningful poems and posts week after week. (It is also wonderful being married to you.)

Ruth said...

Way to stay anonymous, Anonymous. :-) (And thank you for your comment.)

Joyce Ray said...

What a sweet comment from Anonymous! Ruth, I love Madeleine L'Engles's poems, too. First Coming is a beautiful one. Thank you!

Mary Lee said...

Hmm...maybe if we were ready, we wouldn't need a savior...but being a race that will never be ready, we will always be a race that needs a savior...