Ready for Silence

 I began this blog for many reasons, but one of the strongest was a desire to  share a rather large collection of Adventy poems by one of my favorite authors, Madeleine L'Engle. And yet, each year I find another one! This poem isn't strictly about Christmas, but it is about Advent--the 1st Advent, and also the 2nd, when Christ will return. 

I don't think they were expecting silence, back two thousand years ago. And I don't think we'd be ready for it today. How does one hear the sound of silence? How does one prepare to hear silence? This Advent season of slowing down and looking back is a good start. 

Let it wash over you.

Ready for Silence
Madeleine L’Engle

Then hear now the silence
He comes in the silence
in silence he enters
the womb of the bearer
in silence he goes to
the realm of the shadows
redeeming and shriving
in silence he moves from
the grave cloths, the dark tomb
in silence he rises
ascends to the glory
leaving his promise
leaving his comfort
leaving his silence

So come now, Lord Jesus
Come in your silence
breaking our noising
laughter of panic
breaking this earth’s time
breaking us breaking us
quickly Lord Jesus
make no long tarrying

When will you come
and how will you come
and will we be ready
for silence
your silence