Four Sonnets for the Sundays of Advent by Joe Carlson

Four Sonnets for the Sundays of Advent.
(from Isaiah 9)

I.
A darkness settles deep upon the land;
From Zebulun and Naphtali it spreads
And brings contempt upon the darkened heads
Of those who both outnumber star and sand.
They look to Earth, distress is all they taste;
The gloom of anguish thrust upon their heart,
An empty darkness filling every part,
Distrust and sin-born selfishness embraced.
But these were former times, and now undone;
The land beyond the river, Galilee -
The glory path that brings one to the sea -
Has witnessed Joy, and seen the darkness shunned.

The people, who once walked with blinded sight,
Upon their darkened eyes has shined the light.


II.
The nations' longest night will see the sun.
Their joy will be complete and satisfied
As when the harvest wheat is multiplied
And bursting hearts of cheer rejoice as one.
Th'oppressors yoke and rod are cast away -
Sin's shoulder staff is cast into the fire -
The burden's back is broke, and from the mire
His people saved, as on great Midian's Day
The tramping warrior's boot in battle met,
The garment rolled in blood from desp'rate war,
Will all be burned, and through night's icy door
The heat of it will burn away our debt.

For unto us a human child is born;
A son is giv'n, and with Him comes the morn.

III.
A son is giv'n; all kingship rests with Him.
Upon His shoulder governments reside.
The King of kings, He rules, both far and wide
All lords and lands from sea to Earth's round rim.
The Wondrous Counselor - with wisdom great
He lays His plans and works His sovereign will,
And all His promises He does fulfill.
The Mighty God - Almighty Potentate -
All battles won, all enemies destroyed.
The Everlasting Father - faithful, kind;
He knows and cares for each child's heart and mind.
The Prince of Peace - true lasting peace enjoyed;

For Peace will reign; all fear and doubt will end,
When Comfort's Spirit comes, Whom He will send.


IV.
Unbroken reign, His government's increase:
This will begin when, crowned with diadem
On David's throne, in High Jerusalem,
He sits, the Prince of never ending Peace.
Upheld by righteousness, the David-Son
Will rule the nations with an iron rod
To show all men that He alone is God
Established by the right of Creation.
From this time forth, and ever more shall be,
God's only Son shall reign from Heaven's throne.
With hearts made soft with flesh that once was stone
The nations all will come on bended knee.

Praise Him on high, whose kingdom He will grow;
The zeal of God the Lord will make it so.