What fuels my pride is nothing like what You gave up – true God, true man – when you bowed as low as bowing goes, as low as heaven spans. What strikes my face is feather-like beside the spear that pierced Your side; my burdens roll onto the floor beside the death YouContinue reading “Lent: Man of Sorrows 1”
Tag Archives: Incarnation
Catechism 22
Why must the Redeemer be truly human? That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weaknesses. (New City Catechism) Mystery, this: the perfect life lived, Law satisfied, and yet my death visited onContinue reading “Catechism 22”
Catechism 21
What sort of Redeemer is needed to bring us back to God? One who is truly human and also truly God. (New City Catechism) Can both dwell in one body – God and man, as though torn asunder, the two were somehow reconciled? As far as east is from west:Continue reading “Catechism 21”
Catechism 20
Who is the Redeemer? The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, in whom God became man and bore the penalty for sin himself. (New City Catechism) From Adam’s flesh the perfect Man: God, human, redeeming what the apple’s curse has eaten. Who else? Our kinsman, yet notContinue reading “Catechism 20”
Earth’s Carol (After Luci Shaw’s “Some Christmas Stars”)
One final poem for Advent, this one inspired by Luci Shaw’s “Some Christmas Stars“. Merry Christmas everyone. May it be a blessed time remembering the wonder of God made flesh. Earth’s Carol The stars make songs in silent sway, The roosters wait for newborn day, And I in brokenness make way To sing the songsContinue reading “Earth’s Carol (After Luci Shaw’s “Some Christmas Stars”)”
Descend, Ascend (After Luci Shaw’s “Made Flesh”)
As Advent draws frighteningly close to its festive conclusion, it’s time to catch up on the December poems for my 12 Poets Project. Today we enter another of Luci Shaw’s reflections on the Christmas story, the beautiful “Made Flesh” which was the inspiration for my next poem. Descend, Ascend (After Luci Shaw’s “Made Flesh”) Now,Continue reading “Descend, Ascend (After Luci Shaw’s “Made Flesh”)”
“She pondered all these things in her heart” (After Luci Shaw’s “Mary Considers Her Situation”)
The virgin sat,the angel’s wordsshimmering around the room. She fancied now that Danielmight have shared her trembling heartwhen Gabriel had spoken truth which did not fully sooth. The prophets spoke of shoots from stumpsand virgins bearing Israel’s sign,and yet she’d never heard her name connected with such wondrous things,too wonderful for her to bearand truthsContinue reading ““She pondered all these things in her heart” (After Luci Shaw’s “Mary Considers Her Situation”)”
Since setting minds on things above is hard
Since setting minds on things above is hard, The mind always diverting to the place Of greatest comfort, fearing open space; Since often thoughts break off in weary shards And off we go, empty, scanning the yard Of day’s vacuum confusions, seeking peace But scared to look directly at His face: Let’s look instead uponContinue reading “Since setting minds on things above is hard”
The Annunciation
And so this is our sign, To those with hard and opened hearts Within the heights and deepest depths, This then is our sign: The virgin shall have a child; She who is small in your proud eyes Shall bring forth what the world can’t hold, What human eyes can’t see. This then is theContinue reading “The Annunciation”
The Mystery (For Joseph)
Your first thought was, perhaps, an anxious one: A vision of your future, spiraling, Into exclusion and shame; Perhaps, too, somewhere an inkling of guilt. (Have I brought this on myself? Should I have seen the warning signs?) Responsible, faithful up to the last, No doubt your spirit still squirmed. Yet you heeded theContinue reading “The Mystery (For Joseph)”
The Consolations of Writing 