First coming

Advent 4: Love

First Coming         by Madeleine L’Engle

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 dined 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!
……………………………………………
 
This year may seem to us a long way from heaven. Perhaps that is why this Advent it is more than ever important to remember, as Madeleine L’Engle reminds us, that God comes to us when the need is deep and great. God dwells with us, and Christ is revealed wherever there is empathy, compassion, love…..and such love is found right in the midst of the pain of the world.

To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

We cannot wait until the world is sane, but instead lift up our voices to rejoice in the truth that hope burns yet still brightly because love is always being born anew.  
 
Grace and peace,
Sue +