Time's Fullness
Pixabay (2013), CC0 Public Domain
As I prayed about what to share with you all this month, my heart began to cry out in advent prayer and longing for the Lord’s coming. Rather than unpack ideas in another traditional post about the theological or liturgical significance or suggestions for this holy time, I wanted to invite you to a moment of prayer and contemplation through this Advent verse that surged up within me. I invite you to light a candle, diffuse your Christmas aromas, turn up some mellow chant and enter into this Advent prayer with me.
May this holy season release you from fear, anxiety and doubt. We are loved and we need to rest in Him — He alone can help us to “lighten up” and participate more fully in the joy of the moment.
O Lord! Many live as if time does not exist
A mere allusion that holds us captive
A torturing “matrix” in which we persist
The past haunts and the future an empty motive
Come, then, and arouse our non-existence
“In the fullness of time” to renew the moment
Where grace is won, open our hearts resistance
Forgotten mercy calls us from anxious life, so dormant
O Lord! In all directions fear is stimulated
Terror and hatred are now dreaded friends
So many thirst for carnage, want it simulated
War and terror, revenge and hatred become the trends
Stir up our darkened world of contradiction
With promise to shine upon us “in the shadow of death”
Raise us up even though we create our miserable condition
Ignore our plea of cold despair; grant true life’s breath
O Lord! Life seems to hold no meaning or certainty
Other than what each one wants to believe
“Be tolerant, relative, nothing is true absolutely”
“Injustice is right, sin is normal,” oh how these lies deceive
Be born anew in our lives with Truth to inflame
In our minds and hearts, awaken the living dead
Persist in your redeeming love, give us grace to call your name
Make us sons and daughters, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord,” instead
O Lord! We cling to our weaknesses as we fail
We think we are enough to see us through
Yet our heart’s dreams have lost their sail
As we offer our incense to every god but you
Make us babes enough to see your mystery
As you were poor, humble, hidden in your mother’s arms
Make us wise-men to know our need for thee
That we may come and adore you sheltered from our evil harms
O Lord! You came in time’s fullness
Now in the beauty of this Advent return
So we may seize this moment for holiness
Give us the light of truth so falsity may no longer burn
With hope rekindled in your coming
May our darkness flee with your light manifest
May we regain our strength and your blessing
That we may please you and proclaim “Glory to God in the Highest”
A poem filled with hope and faith for #AdventClick To Tweet
Read our other Advent 2017 articles.
Copyright Chantal Howard 2017
