Advent 3
Poems
A GOSPEL TREASURY
Poems Based on Lectionary Gospels
'I am not the Lord's Anointed.
I can but prepare his way.
Soon will come the time appointed.
He will come without delay.'
John, when asked, 'Are you Messiah?'
disavowed the holy claim,
bade them hold their hallelujah
till the true Messiah came.
Many followed John until the
time when Jesus later came.
He it was who would fulfill the
prophecy and gain the fame.
Soon the followers of John
in multitudes began to leave.
Some who saw it might imagine
John would agonize and grieve.
When he saw them go to Jesus,
John said, 'Jesus must increase.
He, the Bridegroom, now is with us.
I in turn will now decrease.'
We, like John, are called to witness
to the Lord of love we know.
Unlike John, we're often speechless
when the proper moments show.
Are we filled with apprehension,
fear that we will be outshone?
Would we rather gain attention
pointing to ourselves alone?
I can but prepare his way.
Soon will come the time appointed.
He will come without delay.'
John, when asked, 'Are you Messiah?'
disavowed the holy claim,
bade them hold their hallelujah
till the true Messiah came.
Many followed John until the
time when Jesus later came.
He it was who would fulfill the
prophecy and gain the fame.
Soon the followers of John
in multitudes began to leave.
Some who saw it might imagine
John would agonize and grieve.
When he saw them go to Jesus,
John said, 'Jesus must increase.
He, the Bridegroom, now is with us.
I in turn will now decrease.'
We, like John, are called to witness
to the Lord of love we know.
Unlike John, we're often speechless
when the proper moments show.
Are we filled with apprehension,
fear that we will be outshone?
Would we rather gain attention
pointing to ourselves alone?
