December 2007 - Vol. 14
 

A Spiritual Journey of Poems for Advent and Christmastide
by Jeanne Kun

The Tree of Jesse, illuminated manuscript

Hope Revived

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots. (Isaiah 11:1)

Come, O Lord,
and in my heart
oft times as dry as Jesse's stump
and broken like that felled tree of David, 
take root again.
In a springtime miracle,
blossom forth in me
with the green and bursting vigor of new life.

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him. (Isaiah 11:2)

Come, O Lord,
in the force and freshness of your Spirit
and blow over me.
Wake in me all that has grown weary
and rouse all that has been dulled by griefs and sorrow.
Refresh and quicken me;
let me find my breadth in you
and draw new strength from your vitality.

Copyright (c) 2006 by Jeanne Kun

 
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