'.. the baby in my womb leaped for joy.'

Each day in Advent readings are given by various contributors according to the prayer's themes of light, power, joy and laughter and finally of love. Jane Edwards reads Jim Cotter. Images: Baptism of Christ, Piero della Francesca, Portrait of the ferrara court-jester Gonella, Jean Fouquet.

Baptism of Christ, Piero della Francesca; Jim Cotter's poem, chosen and read by Jane Edwards

..Elizabeth ...exclaimed.."As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy." Luke 1:44

The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" "I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God" John 1:29, 34

What a scene! John, as a baby in his mother's womb, recognises the very presence of Mary and Jesus, and leaps for joy. The two unborn babies in each other's company and somehow even then John recognises Jesus, forerunning the amazing moment of recognition at the very start of Jesus ministry - 'I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God!'

A welcoming friend

God of joy we rejoice in you
you run to meet us like a welcoming friend
you laugh with us with at the merriment of heaven
you feast with us at the great banquet
clown of clowns, fool of fools
the only entertainer of jesters
God of joy we rejoice in you.

Jim Cotter