Advent longing - poetry - Poem

National Catholic Reporter, Dec 21, 2001 by Christa Cunningham

   Advent longing
   beats in my heart
   like the longing
   of an expectant mother
   who waits for a
   face-to-face encounter
   with the child within.

   So I yearn for the birth
   of a new child of grace
   in me.

   Then in the dark silence
   an encounter takes place
   heart-side within.

   Listening I hear,
   "be my Christ-mass
   you will see me
   be born
   be sent."

   --Sr. Christa Cunningham, OP
   St. Augustine, Fla.