Advent Song

Advent Song
Advent brings a pregnant waiting
hoping for divine surprise.
We expect the birth of Wisdom,
truth that’s shaped to fit our eyes:
gift of being needs our seeing
meaning in a baby’s cries.

Advent intersects with prophets
exiled to beyond the walls,
speaking of the need to journey
and to heed the word that calls:
lonely teaching, dazed with reaching
to where light or shadow falls.

Advent sings of angels waiting
for the call of shepherds’ eyes.
Waiting makes the space for wonder
under night’s resounding skies:
star-lit guiding, hope providing,
gift and giver, poor and wise.

Advent time is out of sequence
with the New Year of the world.
New life comes beyond our comforts
where the hard-worked beasts are curled.
All creation sings elation
to the new born hope unfurled.
(Words by Barbara Messner 2014, 
Tune Regent Square by Henry Thomas Smart, tune of Glory be to God the Father TiS142)