The Joy of Glory

Each year, as a Christmas gift to the body of Shades Valley Community Church, I attempt to write a poem. This Advent, our church has been reflecting on the truth that Advent (Christ’s coming) is for all. The poem below is my best effort to express this reality in a way that, I pray, helps every heart feel that Christ came for them, and I hope we see that specifically through the WAY he came. I pray this poem will serve as an encouragement of the truth Christ came for you.

Merry Christmas, 
Pastor Jonathan

Advent is for All

Promises made, promises kept
Christ’s Advent is God’s amen 
To all our longings, our weary wanderings 
The divine answer wrapped in skin 

But for whom does this Jesus come?
For whom does love fill his veins?
For you or for me, or anybody? 
Who’s the who for whom he came? 

That riddle’s solved when you behold
God’s glory in infant eyes 
In that gracious gaze see the kind he shall save 
Earth’s priorities all scandalized 

Rich or dirt-poor matters nothing 
To this king who wears heaven’s crown 
In swaddling cloths, laid in a food trough 
Which shepherds now gather round

Come young and old, come one and all 
Draw near to the manger’s side 
Tall kneel and small stand to see God become man 
To pursue his runaway bride 

Woman or man, enslaved or free 
He’s come for you just the same 
Chains shall he break, and oppression will quake 
At the sound of his holy name 

Popular one, or one unseen, 
Whether Magi or a shepherd 
You are welcomed in, adopted as kin 
To him eternally fettered 

Powerful? Weak? Brash or meek? 
Enneagram number game? 
He made one through nine, circles and lines 
There’s none he’s ashamed to claim 

Skin black or white, it matters not 
To you he gives the same call
From heaven’s heights, to the manger’s side 
Do you hear advent’s for all? 

Promises made, promises kept 
Christ’s Advent is God’s amen 
To all our longings, our weary wanderings 
The divine answer wrapped in skin