ADVENT
“A World Leader”

Waiting.  Hoping.  Yearning.

How long O Lord?
You promised us.
The days became years,
                                And then decades. 
                                                    And then centuries.

Our grandfathers waited for you.

And so have we.
         How long O Lord?

 When will you come –
           And end the rule of injustice?
           And stop the terror of suffering?

We eagerly await the dawning of a new day,

                When the darkness will become light,
                And the spear is broken asunder,
                And the lion and lamb play together.  
                                                How long O Lord?

And I hear a voice saying, “Look to the child.

                                                                The infant crying in the stable.
                                                                                He’s the one.”

What?!  He’s the one?! 

How can that be?  Surely not.
He’s helpless.  He’s small. 
He cannot talk.  He cannot walk.  He cannot stand. 
Should we put our hope in a child to rescue us?

Can this weak and helpless baby have the power

                                                To heal a broken world?
Will the forces of injustice and
                And power brokers of fear bow before this child?
                        Will they even notice he exists?

 Don’t we need a warrior?

One with political clout and military prowess?
                Don’t we need a leader?
                Someone with persuasive influence?
How long O Lord?

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. 
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.