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The Composition

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In 2020, my wife, sister, and a few close friends were all preparing to welcome newborns into this world. While such news was filled with joy and anticipation, worry and fear also emerged over the course of the year. The global Covid-

19 pandemic began in March bringing with it uncertainty, disruption, and the loss of many lives. In Minnesota, the murder of George Floyd then shook our community – a tragic reminder of the great injustices and inequalities present

in our community. Lastly, as Christmas and New Years neared, Americans witnessed an ever-deepening political partisanship and a shocking reminder of the fragility of democracy. Amidst this all, a friend and soon-to-be parent asked me, “is this a time for a child to be born?” The poignant question reminded me of Madeleine L’Engle’s incredible poem which began to resonate as if it was written in 2020. This setting is dedicated to my daughter Ani Ellis, my niece Juniper Jean, and to the infants who arrived amidst such global turmoil sharing their bright lights.

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The Poet

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Madeleine L’Engle (1918 – 2007) was an American writer of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and young adult books. She is perhaps best known for her award-winning novel A Wrinkle in Time for which she won the Newberry Award in 1962.

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The Risk of Birth

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This is no time for a child to be born,

With the earth betrayed by war & hate

And a comet slashing the sky to warn

That time runs out & the sun burns late.

That was no time for a child to be born,

In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;

Honor & truth were trampled to scorn—

Yet here did the Savior make His home.

When is the time for love to be born?

The inn is full on the planet earth,

And by a comet the sky is torn—

Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.

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-Madeleine L’Engle

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“The Risk of Birth, Christmas, 1 973” From The Ordering of Love: New and Collected Poems by Madeleine L'Engle. Copyright 2005 by Crosswicks, Ltd. Used by arrangement. All rights reserved.