By Sarah Logan
Born to die; how death frames life!
I lean in close; breathe Baby’s breath.
I lift you up in moonlit glow –
Come, be the balm for silent woe.
Donkey’s gait rocks Mary’s weight;
Heavy with child, Pregnant with Hope.
Prince of Peace, our warring world
Yearns and waits Your reign to know.
“That all the world should now be taxed”
We hear the word of human lords.
Bowing under yoke’s hard crest,
We cry to you for Shalom rest.
Tiny child we wait for you
With Joseph, Mary, we will trace
Your earthly sojourn, Peace to bring,
Our stifled cries burst out in praise.
Peace is my connection channel
To the ocean of God’s love;
I hear you whisper, “Peace, be still,”
The wind and waves obey your will.
Ours is a common tapestry;
Years pass as Autumn’s falling leaves
Shalom, come breathe your peace in us:
O House of Bread, our souls you feed.
Sarah Logan tends to look at the world through different eyes – having tasted seasons of suffering, trial, and loss, she’s dwelt long on themes of trust, doubt, faith, sorrow, and the inner life with God. She is a spiritual director and blogger.
She described her creative process for Awaiting Shalom:
I wrote this 6 stanza poem at first by attempting to stick with a metered structure. I loosened up as I went along.
I’ve always found peace elusive. My early years were tumultuous and filled with confusion and instability. I learned to pray early on out of desperation and need – I hashed out my not-good-enough-ness on the anvil of doubt and bold reckoning with the God who made me. I came to know and love Jesus as the only balm for my wounded soul – I began to taste peace. The Prince of peace became my soul-anchor, the Friend of my wounded, limping self Who welcomed me in all my not-good-enough-ness.
I pondered what peace meant in the context of Advent – how Jesus’ coming as a baby was not merely a sweet sentiment, but a bold, and powerful entrance – that bringing peace would come at a cost. Jesus was born to die.
I thought how what we first think of when we hear ‘peace’ is not exactly what peace is. Peace comes through storms and trials. Peace comes in the person of Christ.
Advent Exhibit
Enjoy Peace, a painting by Julia Damion.
Each week of Advent a new visual artist and poet is featured in our RezArts Gallery. These original pieces invite you into the anticipation of Christ’s coming through a representation of each week’s theme: hope, peace, love, and joy. This series will culminate in a fifth display celebrating Christmas. Visit the Advent Exhibit in RezCafe, on display until January 12.
Check out last week’s original pieces on the theme of hope:
- The Annunciation, a watercolor painting by Anna Freeman
- Canvas, a poem by Matthew Wolf
