As we wait for Christmas our world seems to get messier & messier. It’s good to remember that Christ first came into a very messy, whacked-out world. On this Advent Saturday, here’s a poem from one of my favorite writers that captures this celestial conundrum. I’ve shared the last stanza previously, but here is the poem in whole.
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 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!”
Madeleine L’Engle
grace, peace & celestial conundrums
Virginia : )
Photo: Bethlehem
Roses in the Rubble 
Beautiful and so timely
Thank you, Michele. Much love!
Great poem … it brings to mind the last line from the hymn, We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations,“And Christ’s great kingdom shall come to earth, the kingdom of love and light.”
This is a favorite poem — I like that word picture “the kingdom of love & light” – thanks for sharing, Cin!
That’s a beautiful poem. He didn’t wait for everything to be neat and tidy to come into the world, and neither should we wait for everything to be just right before we carry His light out into the world now! 🕯
Amen, Lauri. Things seem to be getting even less “tidier” – all the more reason to spread God’s love around in the messiness!