Advent 2

(Found here)

~ a villanelle ~

Who prays for fire? Who prays for judgement’s flame?

We want things cool, a tepid song we sing.

But He will come to purify, to name

the dross, the gold— who to bless, who to blame

—He finds in each a glorious ruin.

What can clarify us but holy flame?

A revelatory spark flared when John came:

Repent! The Great Refiner’s coming! Bring

all you are, let him purify and name

you: Daughter. Son. Hear your Father exclaim!

Look to the Fourth Man in the fire, cling

to Him whose clothes carry no smell of flame.

He’s gone before us— Wild. True. Not tame.

Our Brother in this choking smoke— our King!

We wait for Him to purify, to name

and to consume all that destroys. His claim?

All of creation— His — everything.

We pray for His fire. We trust this flame.

He comes to purify. Praise His Name.

~Anna Friedrich