Isaiah of old prayed,
    “Let the earth open wide her mouth;
    as justice descends, O heavens, 

    like the dew from above,
    like gentle showers,
    let salvation fall from the skies;
    let justice spring up
    and salvation bud forth.”
Come gentle rain of Advent-tide,
    soak deep into my heart,
    calling forth signs of an early spring.
Make buds appear on my heart’s barren rosebush
    and blooms on its dried flower stalks.
Come showers of silence and wet my soul;
    soak deeply with your fertile fingers, dripping heaven’s dew.
May I come forth from my times of prayer
    as from a bath:
    dripping wet from a sacred soaking, 

    refreshed, renewed, revitalized.
Advent prayer of December stillness,
    dampen my dry soul,
    coax forth green leaves of the Spirit 

    and bring forth buds of bright flowers 

    as green trees flicker with magic lights 

    and green wreath circles
    whirl on front doors,
    red-bowed in festive joy.
May soggy souls ooze out awesome gifts,
    for Emmanuel, God-among-us,
    is awakened from a yearlong slumber 

    by gentle mists of Advent longing 

    and is eager to give gifts of love, 

    presents of your presence.
Radiant Rain God,
    make me your brimful cloud,
    ready to shower down Emmanuel’s justice and peace 

    upon all I meet. 

 

 

____________________________

 

 

Shower, O heavens, from above,
    and let the clouds rain down righteousness;
let the earth open,

    that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;
    let the earth cause them both to sprout;
    I the Lord have created it.