Happy Christmas!
Milton wrote an Ode on the Morning of Christ’s Nativity, which no one can hope to emulate, but in the following poem I have followed his lead in drawing a contrast between the various gods of the Classical world and the full and astonishing revelation of God’s love in the manger at Bethlehem. This was originally a short three verse poem, but at the behest of Steve Bell I have re-written it so that it is now also a song, with a tune of his composing on his wonderful new Album Keening for the Dawn. I have written about our collaboration here. I have also recorded a reading of this poem which you can hear by clicking on the ‘play’ button below or the title
Descent
They sought to soar into the skies
Those classic gods of high renown
For lofty pride aspires to rise
But you came down.
You dropped down from the mountains sheer
Forsook the eagle for the dove
The other Gods demanded fear
But you gave love
Where chiselled marble seemed to freeze
Their abstract and perfected form
Compassion brought you to your knees
Your blood was warm
They called for blood in sacrifice
Their victims on an altar bled
When no one else could pay the price
You died instead
They towered above our mortal plain,
Dismissed this restless flesh with scorn,
Aloof from birth and death and pain,
But you were born.
Born to these burdens, borne by all
Born with us all ‘astride the grave’
Weak, to be with us when we fall,
And strong to save.
Sublime – thank you and warmest greetings.
Thanks Andrew, good to connect up with you again here and on FB
Wonderful! Printed out and hung on the wall….
Happy Christmas to you.
And to you!
Went to hear Steve Bell sing this awesome and inspiring song ten days before Christmas. He payed tribute to you, Malcolm, both in his funny anecdotes and in song. Now THIS is Christmastide!!!
Hope you, Andrew and my friend, Lori Tischler can have a “meet and greet” at the C. S. Lewis retreat down in Houston area next fall.
Blessings from Edmonton, AB. Canada
Val
Thanks Val. it’s been great working with Steve and yes I hope there’ll be some kind of get together next year
Thanks Lorraine
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Phenomenal! Simple truth.