A Poem For Advent

No peace between the woman and the serpents seed

By Anna Maria Van Schurman

God wants to snatch from the devil's 

jaws that weak and hapless prey, 

and turn the Serpents guile and 

power into shame and dismay.

God pronounces over him 

a curse filled with hell's own fire 

and gives a sign to that animal 

of his wrath and ire:

God wants no peace between the 

woman and the Serpent or its seed,

 but the seed of this woman will, 

at the last, crush its head indeed.

Behold, from the mouth of God now 

comes that promise, that great word

 in which the new covenant 

between God and mortals is heard!

How earth and hell and heaven 

did then stand here astounded 

while God's voice rumbled and

 curses from heaven resounded!

Here a wonderful light shines forth 

from God's gracious throne: 

the devil's highest punishment 

yields our highest crown.

Satan is condemned,

God lifts up the human race 

to live now without end 

in God's almighty grace 

through that wonderful covenant 

that the Lord did provide 

by the Son of man's death-

the Son of God at God's own side!

No greater work of love

 could God's grace anoint, 

wherein God's virtues meet 

in a single point.