The Risk of Birth
A poem by Madeleine L`Engle . . .
This is no time for a child to be born.
With the earth betrayed by war and hate
And nova lighting the sky to warn
That time runs out and the sun burns late.
That was no time for a child to be born.
In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;
Honour and truth were trampled by scorn —
Yet here did the Saviour make his home.
When is the time for love to be born?
The inn is full on the planet earth,
And by greed and pride the sky is torn —
Yet Love still takes the risk at birth.
Reflection:
As you read (and re-read) this short poem, reflect on what it costs you when you give someone your love. Is it your money, your time, your attention . . . your affection? It often doesn’t involve a great risk.
Take a few moments to thank God for giving you the indescribable gift of His love, then ask Him to show you who He wants you to risk loving today with His love — His selfless and sacrificial love.
Madeleine L'Engle was a poet and novelist who was most famous for young adult literature (“A Wrinkle In Time” being her most well know piece). She was an Episcopalian and considered herself a Christian universalist which would set her apart from evangelical Christians. Nevertheless, she is a brilliant writer who loved Jesus and was unafraid to wonder about the things of God. As you will see, she takes much poetic license with scripture but I think what she says stirs up deeper truth in all of us and is well worth reading.
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