Oh this babe wrapped in swaddling cloths
his last breath as vulnerable as his first!
He took up heaven’s cross to be
wrapped
in linen cloths. So,
we might lay down filthy rags
and be gracefully fitted for
the robes of those made
righteous. Praise him.
Praise him. Praise him!
Oh the delight awaiting children
on the edge of glades filled with light.
That dappled ground stirs no fear for
those readied by stories told at night.
Every step a soft whisper on deep humus.
Every large stone a call for sacrifice.
Every tree a witness to the movements.
Every breeze shaping a truthful heart.
Even now when the wind blows gently
I feel the persistent press for knowing
someone ageless pulsing through it all
and tapping out the rhythms for my life.
I’m trading my hill songs for street songs.
I’m trading my sweet amens for Lord have mercies.
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.
I’m trading my shiny tables for rugged beams.
I’m trading my nationalisms for kingdom crosses.
I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord.
And we say yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord.
Yes Lord, yes Lord, yes yes Lord.
Let’s trade our like-ability for the neighbour’s love.
Let’s trade our smooth talk for the prophet’s truth.
Let’s lay them down for the joy of the Lord.
And we say come Lord, come Lord, come come Lord.
Come Lord, come Lord, come come Lord.
We hardly know His words from the ground up.
Our quick takes ooze with white house platitudes.
We can’t speak truth to power so our nice words are used.
We are pressed but not crushed
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
We are blessed beyond the curse
For His promise will endure
That His joy’s gonna be our strength
And we say help Lord, help Lord, help help Lord.
Help Lord, help Lord, help help Lord.
We’re trading our hill songs for street songs.
We’re trading our sweet amens for Lord have mercies.
We’re laying them down for the joy of the Lord.
Note about the picture: an inset from Edward Hicks’ work, The Falls of Niagara
Note about a previous song quoted and alluded to in this poem: Darrell Evans wrote the song Trading My Sorrows, otherwise known as Yes Lord.
Heavenly Father,
You have brought us into your communion — the communion of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We praise you for this grace. You have brought us from darkness and into your light. Our souls have been made alive by you. In fact — you woke us up.
Praise to the Father.
Praise to the Son.
Praise to the Spirit.
Praise to our God — the great Three in One.
Our souls glorify You; You are magnificent!
Thank you! Jesus when we heard of your great love for us — faith in you rose up in us. Finally There is someone worthy and fully able to heal our souls.
You delivered us from slavery and into freedom from sin at such great cost. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for taking up flesh. Thank you for laying down your life for us at the cross.
Our senses were so numb — we did not know were slaves to sin till the good news quickened our conscience and we grieved the death we could not shake off. Now you are making us new creations. Now our trust is in you. Now we have a hunger for your Word and a desire to do your will.
Come Lord Jesus. Have mercy on us. Grant us the joy of your salvation.
Heavenly Father, we are concerned — for the tasks we have taken up weigh on us. Help us with our studies. This world you have made is so beautiful! There’s more to it than facts and figures — yet there are a lot of those to learn! Help us develop the skills to steward what you have entrusted to us, help us develop the character needed for courageous love.
Lord we lift up people whose dignity and glory as dearly loved and precious creations of God has been forgotten. We lift up the families of ISIS fighters living in camps on the edges of Syria and Turkey. Oh Lord would you reveal yourself to them? Please send your kindness to these children and free them from hate and despair. Let your peace reign that a generation would walk in the joy of your love and delight. Reveal Yourself to them in the night and in the day ‘till hearts are softened and the Holy Spirit has His way.
Now we pray with them and for ourselves with the requests you taught us:
(Please pray the Lord’s prayer with me:)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever.
Amen.
