Christ On the Margins

When Christ was born in Bethlehem, the angels came to sing

Not to the highest emperor or to a mighty king.

To lowly shepherds in the fields those angels did appear,

A witness borne to folks whom most would never choose to hear.

 

When Jesus chose those followers who would his gospel find,

He did not choose the highest-born or those of brightest mind. 

He chose some lowly fisherman (A tax collector too), 

But not the sons of privilege, with whom his work to do.

 

When Jesus named the ones with whom he would identify,

Or those whose lot in life he would be represented by,

He did not name the powerful or those who aimed to please,

But those the well-to-do of us would call "the least of these."

 

When Christ was raised, the angels told the raising of God's Son

Not to the priests or to the scribes, not Peter, James, or John, 

But to the women at the tomb this news they did avail --

This news that men who were not there would call "an idle tale."

 

When Christ's good news is sounded forth, how often is it told

Not to the great, the proud, the rich, the powerful or bold,

But to the cast-aside of life the gospel is unfurled!

And so Christ's call is sounded from the margins of the world.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2022.

MUSIC: Suggested tune NOEL, English melody; arr. Arthur S. Sullivan, 1874.

 

 

It was stanza four of this text that came first, in this case; the dismissal of the women's report as "an idle tale" provoked the reflection that led to the rest of the hymn. Though an Easter gospel text started the story, the Nativity story is also alluded, and thus the use of a tune commonly associated with a Christmas text (one tune used for "It came upon the midnight clear") seemed like a fun idea. 

Crosses

Crosses stand against a gray sky, seen by all of those who pass by.

Cruel imperial creation, made for full humiliation.

From such there is no escaping, fear and acquiescence shaping.

Hear the spite and mocking shaming, crowds caught up in fear and blaming.

 

Crosses, meant for pain unyielding, power imperial now wielding, 

Here become a scene of wonder where such power is torn asunder.

Jesus hangs there, bruised and bleeding, in our lives now interceding.

One who dies there for his nation, seeking only our salvation.

 

Crosses could not thwart his love new; to his final breath he stayed true.

We behold in awe and wonder as our bonds are torn asunder.

You who gave so to regain us, may your Spirit now sustain us, 

So that, in your love undying, we might live, all sin defying.

 

Crosses now abound around us, though their uses may confound us:

Waving like a sign of empire, wielded with such anger and fire.

God forbid! Does this not grieve you? Do they think this will deceive you?

May we never so betray you or so falsely thus display you.

 

Crosses now are not for hatred, lest our God's own grace be wasted; 

Not for God's whole world reviling, nor for lists of wrongs compiling;

But for steadfast love revealing, and the power of sin repealing.

Let this cross be now the token of God's love that is not broken.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2022.

MUSIC: Tune SCHMÜCKE DICH, Johann Crüger, 1649.

 

 

Aside from a reference to John 11:49-50 in stanza 2, this is not bound to any particular scripture on the Passion. It is a reflective text, on what crosses were used to do then and what they sometimes are used to do now. The first three stanzas might stand OK for a hymn on their own, but I hope the fourth and fifth stanzas will be heard.

See the new Jerusalem

See the new Jerusalem, coming down in glory!

All adorned in splendor bright, as in ancient story.

Now the throne of God is here, midst the whole creation;

God will call all people home, home from every nation.

 

Tears no more shall strain the eye, nor shall death be found there;

No more mourning, no more pain; sorrow will be nowhere.

All these things have passed away, banished all forever.

Suffering there will have no place and will be felt never.

 

See the One upon the throne, hear the words he speaks true:

"I am first and I am last, and all things I make new." 

All adorned in splendor bright, as in ancient story,

See the new Jerusalem coming down in glory!

 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2022, after Revelation 21:1-6.

MUSIC: Tune TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM, Piae Cantiones, 1582.

 

I was not expecting to write any new hymn texts for a forthcoming series of sermons from the book of Revelation, but here you go.