Monday 5 December

Isaiah 35:1-10, Ps. 85,
Luke 5:17-26

First sign of Spring

Mary,
Your gentle flower, jonquil,
first sign of Spring,
foretells a redemption
that made prophet sing.
Though glory be for Lebanon
Carmel’s splendour great
for your flowering, gentle jonquil
hearts in sorrow, wait.

You foretell a healing
never seen before.
Faith grows strong within us,
our hope you do restore

Advent is a time of restoration.
We need to turn aside from all
the so-called ‘preparations’ for Christmas
and think of its true meaning.
Let ‘ever-lasting joy’ be reflected
on our faces.