In the Wake of Unimaginable Violence

Now more than ever, it seems appropriate to pray that the dream of Isaiah be brought forth more fully in the hearts of all people during this Advent season.

Lions and oxen will sleep in the hay,
leopards will join with the lambs as they play,
wolves will be pastured with cows in the glade,
blood will not darken the earth that God made.

Peace will pervade more than forest and field:
God will transfigure the violence concealed.

Little child whose bed is straw,
take new lodgings in my heart.
Bring the dream Isaiah saw:
life redeemed from fang and claw.
(Thomas Troeger, 1994)