First Coming by Madeleine L’Engle
God did not wait till the world was ready, till...the 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
Till 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 Word made Flesh the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait til 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!
For the past eleven Christmases, a middle school student has read this beautiful piece at the Christmas Eve pageant at our church, First Congregational Church in Boulder. Like all true wisdom, it gets to me every time, reminding me that true love is possible NOW.
Christians rejoice today because Christmas Day is the culmination of Advent's waiting and watching for the birth of love. The day reminds me not to wait to give of myself, such as when I'm richer, or thinner, or happier, or more successful. These things may never happen. But today, and tomorrow, I can share a good word, a smile, a timely message, a comforting hug.
