Tuesday, December 21, 2010

See

This is a re-post of something I worked on last Christmas. I need reminders often, particularly in such a hectic season.

See

See the donkey, bearing Mary,
See the dark and barren stall,
See the Christ Child, squirming, crying,
See the God who made us all.

See the shepherds, breathless, frightened,
See the sky alive with song,
See the travelers with their presents,
See King Herod’s rage grow strong.

See the Teacher, squatting, speaking,
See the crowd that mutters, eats,
See the broken-hearted mother
Hug her child whom Jesus treats.

See the leaders, growing darker,
See the hatred in their hearts,
See the Maker, quiet, moving
Toward the storm that broils, starts.

See the friend betray his Master,
See the frenzy of the crowd,
See the Sovereign Jesus, standing
Waiting there with head bowed.

See the fear in Pilot’s actions,
See the mocking soldiers laugh,
See them beat Him, bruise Him, break Him,
As He ripped the veil in half.

See the angels, vast, unnumbered,
Poised to smite the crowd below,
See the Father, silent, bidding
Evil men to crush their foe.

See the soldiers laughing, gambling,
For the tunic, smooth and whole,
See the broken body, bleeding,
By His wounds to save their soul.

See the realms of darkness shouting
As they view the death they crave,
See the silent women weeping,
Bringing spices to His grave.

See the first soft light of morning,
See the radiant Son arise,
See the claws of death are broken,
See the King has won His prize.

See Him, and in seeing, trust Him,
Let His coming be for you
Not just Christmas cards and gifts, but
Awesome pardon, life made new.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Come

This hymn is good for my heart today.

Come Ye Sinners

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Words: Hart. Music: Walker.