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.