The Advent of Christ

 "The Advent of Christ"

A world in darkness, cloaked in sin

A cry for justice: when God, when?

But now salvation can begin

The Lord is coming soon.

 

The day has come, God does not tarry

The angel Gabriel comes to Mary

The Son of God, this girl shall carry

The Lord is coming soon.

 

The news to Joseph is the same,

the child to come will bring no shame.

Immanuel will be his name

The Lord is coming soon.

 

To Bethlehem the couple goes

King David’s town, as Joseph knows

This is the place the Father chose

The Lord is coming soon.

 

When they arrive, there is no room

The relief of arrival gives way to gloom

But the child kicks in Mary’s womb

The Lord is coming soon.

 

They’re told a stable’s up ahead

A place where animals are fed

A manger will be the Christ’s first bed

The Lord is coming soon.

 

Clutching her belly, Mary cries out

With fear and joy, Joseph gives a shout

This is the moment it was all about

The Lord is coming soon.

 

Gentle and lowly, the Savior comes.

Loudly and slowly, the Savior comes.

Glorious and holy, the Savior comes.

A cry—

God is with us now.

 

After the birth comes the baptism.

After the baptism comes the ministry.

After the ministry comes the betrayal.

After the betrayal comes the crucifixion.

After the crucifixion comes the resurrection.

After the resurrection comes the ascension.

After the ascension comes the church.

 

And now, we wait in the strange in-between space, this interim between Advents.

The kingdom has come, but by faith and not yet by sight.

Darkness is overcome, but not yet swallowed up.

Death is defeated, but is with us still.

 

But someday soon:

Someday soon Christ will descend

Someday soon our wounds he’ll mend

Someday soon our sorrows will end

And heaven will triumph over hell

A greater love no tongue can tell

And we will see Immanuel

And we will sing a new Noel

And praise the Lord, all will be well.

The Lord is coming soon.