Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Watchful Tuesday, December 22, 2015 Luke 1:46-48 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has looked upon his lowly servant. And so we move into the light. Countdowns before Christmas, carols sung only a few more times, heralds prepare their horns and churches open their midnight doors. Mary, rejoicing, waits. Do you read much poetry? Me either. But poems can be beautiful and wise and delicate and strong. Here is a poem written by W. H. Auden, as he ponders what Mary might be thinking as she watches her baby. Mary by W. H. Auden Oh shut your eyes that mine must endanger with their watchfulness: protected by its shade Escape from my care: what can you discover from my tender look but how to be afraid? Love can but confirm the more it would deny. Close your bright eye. Sleep. What have you learned from the womb that bore you but an anxiety your Father cannot feel? Sleep. What will the flesh that I gave do for you, or my mother love, but tempt you from his will? Why was I chosen to teach His son to weep? Little one, sleep. Dream. In human dreams earth ascends to Heaven where no one need pray nor ever feel alone. In your first hours of life here, o have you chosen already what death must be your own? How soon will you start on the Sorrowful Way? Dream while you may. Mary is afraid already for you, Lord. But it is you who puts to death and gives life. You make rich and make poor, you humble and exalt, and raise the needy from the dust. Let me, like Mary, sense your humanity as well as your divinity. So I can hold you and love you like you love me. "; Add      Edit    Delete