Poem for the Second Sunday before Advent

Sacred Messenger

Out in the bay, unsettling as
one gleaming fin breaks the surface,
then the curved black back. Close now

the great animal’s eye holds mine
with acceptance and questioning;
could I even say love?

Perhaps the bearer of a gift, a sacred messenger,
urging us to recover our primordial path,
to dive into the depths of our belonging

then break the surface of all that keeps
us diminished and fearful. And so
to rise, joyful.

Ian Adams is CMS’s mission spirituality adviser; he is also a poet, writer and photographer.

Luke 24: 28-31
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going
on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day
is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he
took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they
recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.

We are approaching Advent – a season when we are urged to be alert, to be on the look out for
God’s sacred messenger. I am passionate about the creative arts as gifts and tools which God
has given us to discover more of who God is and who we are. Whether we are in lockdown or
not, let’s treasure anything which feeds our imaginations and keeps the door open for God to
surprise us. We don’t want to miss Jesus breaking through to us,appearing alongside us,
unsettling us, but also helping us to rise freely and joyfully with him, even in the very depths of
winter.

Tina Lamb