The Advent of the Advent Moon

The waning gibbous moon illuminates the sky in the hours before the season of Advent begins.

This Advent moon shines cold and clear,

  These Advent nights are long;

Our lamps have burned year after year

  And still their flame is strong.

'Watchman, what of the night?' we cry,

  Heart-sick with hope deferred:

'No speaking signs are in the sky,'

  Is still the watchman's word.

-Christina Rossetti