“Long is the way / And hard, that out of Hell leads up to Light”—John Milton, Paradise Lost

 (For Tracie Pratt)

Today she celebrates the Savior’s birth,

Worships the light, in fullness yet unseen.

But errant hearts distort the light of earth.

Again they scourge the Son of Man, her King.

While season’s clamor muffles Christendom,

Impious hearts embrace the wintry frost,

The ones for whom rebirth may never come.

Then Advent passes, notwithstanding cost.

She seeks the strength to speak the boldest truth,

Then shakes the dust, withdraws and moves along.

The burden Jesus takes, and now is gone.

Henceforth, she judges not and speaks in love:

His saving graces descending like a dove.

DB Lindsey Jr

25 December 2005