Advent...Candle Two

Her mother said, "It's no concern;

When you're with child you have to learn

That ankles which were once quite thin

Swell, near the end, like new wine skin;

And sandal straps sink as in clay

And leave prophetic lines which say

The child is near. The child is near."

As if there weren't enough to fear

Beloved Joseph brings the word

Which gentle Mary calls absurd:

"That in a fortnight, when he's due

I'm just to up and go with you

A four day's walk with child and packs

Because the Caesar wants his tax!"

But Mary didn't want to stay

Alone with Joseph far away.

And he explained he had to go.

"I've something here I'd like to show,"

He said, and stepped outside. "I bought

Old Eli's mule because I thought

You'd like to ride. Old Eli said

This lantern in the sack has led

Him to Jerusalem at night

A hundred times. ‘It gives good light,'"

He said. Then held it up and smiled:

"A gift from Eli for the child."

Today we light that lamp anew

And call it advent candle two.

~John Piper A Gift From Eli @ Desiring God