The Baptist Cries
The Baptist cries, the Virgin prays,
  Life quickens with Isaiah; 
Eyes bright, we count the shortest days
  Waiting for The Messiah:
The purple of our penitence
  Confronts our sinfulness 
Threatened by scarlet opulence
  Plunging into excess:
Darkness alive with candle flame
  Lit by the Spirit's fire; 
Our saviour born in seeming shame
  Child of sublime desire.

