ADVENT

Advent
By Fenella Bennetts
From the December 20, 2010 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel

Welcome, blessed Christmas light,
pure God-light of understanding
shining in the heart of thought,
bringing new messages of hope,
renewing trust, awakening love,
redeeming friendship’s sweetness.

Your shining spiritual illumination
warms the inner places of the soul,
restoring mercy, healing hardness,
showing God’s unfailing goodness
to be the truth
throughout all time and all eternity.

Now is the moment of new birth,
of new beginnings and new promises,
evidence of Love’s compelling touch
dispelling hatred and despair,
all fear of parting, lack or loss,
and pain or suffering of any kind.

Now is the time
to fold each other in our arms,
to breathe forgiveness in each others’ ears,
and hear again in quietness the low, sweet song
that speaks the love of Christ, which heals the deepest wounds
and brings the tender blessing of salvation to a waiting world.