"WE HAVE WAITED FOR HIM."
By Laura E. Rea
"We have waited for him;" we have watched the signs
Which proclaim his coming near,
As one by one, like the tender leaf
Of the fig-tree, they appear. We have seen the sun in the heavens grow black;
The moon withdraw her light;
And the stars in the blue expanse above,
Fall from their dazzling height. The angel has flown through the midst of heaven,
And his message we all have heard
Proclaiming to every nation and tongue,
The truth of the prophet's word. We have waited for him, Lo, this is our God.
We have waited and us he will save.
O Death! where now is thy cruel sting?
And where is thy victory, Grave? We have waited for him; we have kept the truth;
Let us enter his gates with praise.
The reproach of his people is taken away,
And the tears of their waiting days. Oh, soon will these words be ours, we know!
Let us watch till the Master come.
Be ready to meet him with burning lamps,
And share in the "Welcome home!"