Anna’s Advent Prayer
Waiting for expected beauty,
dancing in its embrace,
cherishing rays of warmth,
Anna rests in prayer and grace.
In her darkened temple home,
taunted by indifference,
daughter of Phanuel, tribe of Asher
foretold of great brilliance:
“The galaxies and stars conspire,
light beams to catch and fill,
strike with glorious expectation,
bathing in luminescent will.
Comforting shadow where light will dawn,
Jerusalem road, in temple gate;
from thy high tower, and sovereign place,
rise, Son, rise — illuminate!
Dispel darkness and deep regret
cleanse loneliness and grief”.
Anna spoke of new light to come
and salvation to seek.
Entering temple to purify,
a first born child is given,
a pair of turtle doves descend;
a sacrifice; forgiven.
God’s ancient promise now fulfilled,
Light of the World is born;
Anna’s patient longing filled,
the temple curtain torn.
His falling and rising,
is a sword to pierce your soul;
a sign rejected and opposed,
a bewildering mystery told.
Darkness and light at last rejoin,
prepared before time began;
finding Anna, changing me,
for He is the Light of Man.