An Advent Poem

First Coming

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

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

til hearts were pure. In joy God came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame,
God came, and God's Light would not go out.

God 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,
God came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

~ Madeleine L'Engle