“O’ Holy Night” and “Prince of Peace” (original poem)

As I began to write a post for Christmas, I felt my words becoming a poem. I decided to combine creative forces with my musically talented brother to bring these words to life with the lyrics of a classic Christmas hymn. Merry Christmas, hope you enjoy!

 

 

Prince Of Peace

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

 

The veil of innocence falls

Pain, sin, injustice overwhelm

Darkness engulfs

 

Light is stolen from beating hearts

Children in slavery

Babies with hungry bellies

War and terror ravage

Violence, tears, and fear

 

Brothers and sisters

Black and white

Gunmen and children

All in a fallen fight

 

And our hearts just bent

On making a political statement

 

Not to point out right or wrong

But here— at Christmas— can we all just get along?

 

So far from the life God has spoken

Tension between His children

He hurts at the world entangled in broken

 

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of peace

 

But we are restless, hopeless,

aching, breaking,

and totally without peace. 

 

And we’re supposed to deck the halls

We’re supposed to rejoice

In the midst of it all

 

Joy in the impossible?

Peace in the groaning?

 

Maybe the answer to our questions

Lies in Christmas tradition:

 

“A weary world rejoices”

 

We know our own weariness

In need of a love bigger than our mess

 

So what if we raised our voice

Hit our knees in praise

While our hearts are still breaking

 

True peace is more

Hope not dependent on circumstance

Peace in the promises of the baby Mary bore

 

Peace beyond human definition

Unattainable by human intuition

 

The world wasn’t yet ready

On that holy night

 

Jesus entered the world under the stars

to work the wondrous in the weary

so he will work in us

 

True peace rests in a manger

in the middle of a dirty stable.

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