Sunday, December 11, 2011

A Hymn for Advent

EACH WINTER AS THE YEAR GROWS OLDER 
By William & Annabeth Gay (1969)


Each winter as the year grows older, 
We each grow older too. 
The chill sets in a little colder; 
The verities we knew 
Seem shaken and untrue. 

When race and class cry out for treason, 
When sirens call for war, 
They overshout the voice of reason 
And scream till we ignore 
All we held dear before. 

Yet I believe beyond believing, 
That life can spring from death: 
That growth can flower from our grieving; 
That we can catch our breath 
And turn transfixed by faith. 

So even as the sun is turning 
To journey to the north, 
The living flame, in secret burning, 
Can kindle on the earth 
And bring God's love to birth. 

O Child of ecstasy and sorrows, 
O Prince of peace and pain, 
Brighten today's world by tomorrow's, 
Renew our lives again; 
Lord Jesus, come and reign!

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