FIRST COMING by Madeleine L'Engle

My husband read this poem in church this morning, and it gave me great comfort in light of the recent events in Connecticut. I share it so that perhaps it may offer you, too, a ray of hope in the midst of this tragedy.





First Coming



By Madeleine L’Engle



He did not wait till the world was ready,

till men and nations were at peace

He came when the Heavens were unsteady

and prisoners cried out for release.



He did not wait for the perfect time.

He came when the need was deep and great.

He died with sinners in all their grime,

turned water into wine. He did not wait



till hearts were pure. In joy he came

to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.

To a world like ours, of anguished shame

He came, and his Light would not go out.



He came to a world which did not mesh,

to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.

In the mystery of the Word made Flesh

the Maker of the stars was born.



We cannot wait till the world is sane

to raise our songs with joyful voice,

for to share our grief, to touch our pain,

He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!



From The Ordering of Love: The New and Collected Poems of Madeleine L'Engle

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