Goodnight Advent

The Redeemer Lutheran LWML hosted their annual Advent by Candlelight this past Thursday. It is always a joy to be asked to give their evening Advent devotion after the ladies have dined on the finest of teas, coffees and desserts. Last year I did an Advent twist on a secular Christmas classic: Twas the Very First Advent. This year, since the advent of our little Zoe, my reading hours have been influenced by some of the great children's "theologians" of our day: Dr. Seuss, Max and Ruby and of course, Goodnight Moon, a must-have in a child's library. In my limited poetic skills, I have tried to recreate the Advent story of the Scriptures in the style of Goodnight Moon. A blessed beginning of Advent to you all.

 

Book I

In a great green garden

There was a sacred tree

And the fruit forbidden

And a vision of –

The paradise of God on earth

And the moon jumping into the sky

And garden lush

And chirping thrush

And all the plants

And all the ants

And noble creatures

With fantastic features

And clay became man

And rib became woman

And all was well

Before man fell

But there was a crafty old serpent whispering “hush”

Goodnight truth

Goodnight mirth

Goodnight paradise on earth

Goodnight flora

And goodnight fauna

Goodnight noble creatures

And goodnight perfect features

Goodnight Adam,

To dust you return

And goodnight Eve

Labor pains to spurn

Goodnight garden lush

And goodnight chirping thrush

Goodnight because the serpent whispered “hush”

Goodnight Sabbath rest

Goodnight sinless air

Goodnight good everywhere

Book II

In David’s smallest town

There was an inn with no room

And a grotto of wood and stone

And a vision of –

An angelic host in radiant song

And there were shepherds watching their flock

And two little sighs

And a pair of eyes

And a bed of straw

And a donkey, “hee-haw”

And a manger and a cloth and a newborn’s blush

And a pondering young Virgin who was whispering “hush”

Goodnight David’s town

Goodnight shepherds

And goodnight flocks

Goodnight Joseph

And goodnight rocks

Goodnight innkeeper

And goodnight infant sleeper

Goodnight straw

And goodnight “hee-haw”

Goodnight manger

And goodnight stranger

Goodnight shush

And goodnight to the young Virgin whispering “hush”

Goodnight Promised One

And goodnight Son

And goodnight fear…your Savior is here.

Goodnight grave and cursed ground

Goodnight, the Christ Child has been found

Goodnight stars

Goodnight air

Goodnight Advent everywhere

 

 

Book III

Near a great green garden

There was a cursed tree

And a stone cocoon

And a vision of -

An angel guarding the tomb

And there were three tearful women with spice for the linens

And three pairs of eyes

And Peter’s surprise

And on the 3^rd day

As Jesus did say

An angel’s word

And Good News was heard

And death’s release

And Sabbath peace

For behold, My scars: Look and touch

And there was Jesus, whispering “hush”

Goodnight sorrow

Goodnight tomb

Goodnight everlasting doom

Goodnight Satan’s lies

And goodnight tearful eyes

Goodnight Adam’s curse

Goodnight guilty blush

And goodnight to the serpent, his whispers now “hushed”

Goodnight sin

Goodnight doubt

Goodnight death, forever cast out

Goodnight cursed tree

Goodnight, you are free

Good morning resurrection

And good morning mirth

Good morning new dawn, new heaven, new earth

Good morning to all

Good morning so fare

Good morning Advent everywhere