Advent Longing – A Poem 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.