He is gone, above the sun ascended,
His body risen to beyond our eyes,
Our years together on earth have ended,
We look with longing out on empty skies.
To baptize disciples of all nations,
Preaching his word to strange and hostile lands,
To rise against our old hesitations,
To be our Saviour’s pair of earthly hands.
We shall not be lonely, the Spirit nears,
Breathing love through us to be passed on,
The past confusion as debris clears,
Building up Christ’s body now he has gone.
Though our hearts may tremble and tears deceive,
We must let go in order to receive.
—© Christopher Villiers, 2015
This sonnet for Ascension comes from the collection Sonnets from the Spirit, Hope and Life Press, 2015.
Ascension Art and Reflection
Reformed Worship 135 © March 2020, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.