Amy Boucher Pye

Category: Advent poetry

  • An Advent Poem

    A poem for Advent, celebrating the with-us-and-in-us God, based on Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

    6369656185_2996107d77_zThe virgin will conceive
    And give birth to a son
    And call him Immanuel
    God with us
     
    God with us
    Never to leave us
    God in us
    Transform us to new
     
    And this will be a sign
    The virgin will conceive
    All will  know he is God
    A man and God a King
     
    His name is Emmanuel
    He is God with us
    Not a God far away
    But a God at hand
     
    © 2014 Amy Boucher Pye

  • Advent poem – Like a shepherd he leads

    I’m continuing to write a daily poem based on my Advent reading – an old bookmark from NavPress called “Christ in Christmas.” So baffled was I by one of the readings that I even sent an email to a NavPress editor to check that it wasn’t a typo, but he graciously set me straight, helping me to see the interpretation.

    My reading this morning is apt as I rest, fighting some kind of lurgy that’s traveling around among small children and adults. It helps me to remember that the Lord carries us close to his heart, tenderly caring for us. I know many who are struggling with flu and colds – this one’s for you too.

    A gravestone in Lesbury, Northumberland.
    A gravestone in Lesbury, Northumberland.
     
    Good news
    The best news
    Shout it from the mountain
    Lift up your voice
    Be not afraid
    Say to the towns and cities,
    “Here’s your God!”
     
    The Lord powerful and mighty
    He rules and reigns
    For those who love him
    His reward he bestows
     
    Like a shepherd he tends
    Close in his arms he gathers
    Carrying them close in his arms
    Next to his heart
    Leading those who have young
    All we, like sheep
     
    based on Isaiah 40:9-11
    © 2014 Amy Boucher Pye

  • Advent poem – A child will lead them

    Photo: tommy chandra, flickr
    Photo: tommy chandra, flickr
     
    From the stump of Jesse a shoot
    From his roots a Branch
    The Vine in which we abide
    The Vine bearing much fruit
     
    On him rests the Spirit of the Lord
    The Spirit of wisdom
    Of counsel; of understanding
    Of the knowledge and fear of the Lord
     
    For he will delight in the Lord
    In the Lord he will fear
    In right ways will he judge
    Those in need; on earth, the poor
     
    Righteousness, his belt
    Around his waist, faithfulness
    Love and faithfulness meet
    Righteousness and peace kiss
     
    The wolf and lamb living together
    The goat and leopard lying down
    Together the calf and lion
    Leading them, a little child
     
    On the holy mountain
    They will neither harm nor destroy
    For the knowledge and goodness of the Lord
    Will cover the earth like the waters of the sea
     
    In that day
    The Root of Jesse
    Standing a banner for all
    The nations will rally
    His resting place glorious
    And all the earth with him
     
    © 2014 Amy Boucher Pye
    After Isaiah 11:1-10

  • Darkness to dawn: An Advent poem

    The first Sunday of Advent hearkens our period of waiting for the coming King.

    candle-hallowDarkness
    Deep darkness
    Walking and stumbling
    Feeling our way
     
    Feet in the muck
    Sucking us down
    Helpless cries
    Feeling lost
     
    But then the sense
    A lightening of our spirit
    Darkness turns to dawn
    The light breaks through
     
    The Son appears
    His light not covered
    The secret places revealed
    He gives hope and health
     
    We welcome him with us
    That light now within
    In us; through us
    We dwell in him
     
    Our cracked clay pots
    Now shine forth bright
    What was dirty and broken
    Reveals patterns of light
     
    The people walking in darkness
    Have seen a great light
    On those living in darkness
    A light has dawned
     
    Come, Lord Jesus.
     
    © 2014 by Amy Boucher Pye

    A poem after Isaiah 9:2, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”