When snow is shaken
From the balsam trees
And they're cut down
And brought into our houses
When clustered sparks
Of many-colored fire
Appear at night
In ordinary windows
We hear and sing
The customary carols
They bring us ragged miracles
And hay and candles
And flowering weeds of poetry
That are loved all the more
Because they are so common
But there are carols
That carry phrases
Of the haunting music
Of the other world
A music wild and dangerous
As a prophet's message
Or the fresh truth of children
Who though they come to us
From our own bodies
Are altogether new
With their small limbs
And birdlike voices
They look at us
With their clear eyes
And ask the piercing questions
God alone can answer.
Prayer
O God
Who by a star
guided the wise men to the worship of your Son
we pray you to lead to yourself
the wise and great of every land
that unto you every knee may bow,
and every thought be brought into captivity
to Jesus Christ our Lord.
Justice, mercy and peace
The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change is a multi-faith, member-based organisation of people from around Australia who are committed to taking action on climate change. While celebrating the uniqueness of our different traditions, members stand together in working for an ecologically and socially sustainable future.
Rachel Hershkovitz. Jerusalem of Gold. "…who says of Jerusalem, 'It shall be inhabited', and of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be rebuilt, and I will raise up their ruins'" (Isa 44.26)
That's what faith can do. Kutlass.
May the Lord, when he comes, find us watching and waiting. Amen.