Christmas Carol 2023

Christmas

Christmas Carol 2023

We sing with joy the Christmas truth
That God was born on earth:
A gift of love and peace, our friend,
Our brother, by this birth.
Yet we ignore his rule of love
To choose the path of power
Where selfish gain corrupts the world
And turns sweet living sour.

Yet Jesus brings forgiveness sweet –
The healing balm of grace;
He offers life abundantly
To all the human race.
In place of want and deathly strife:
Injustice, hate and war –
His love and death, his birth and life
Bring hope for evermore.

So as we praise the prince of peace,
Blessed Mary’s child today,
We bend the knee and worship him –
To live out what we pray:
That all are called and all are blessed
By God whose name is love –
And shun division’s cruel lore –
Made one by power above.

Our Christmas joy is plain and clear
For all the world to see:
That choice abounds for those with power
To set all people free;
Because the babe of Bethlehem
Turns darkness into light –
Our fears, our past, are set at nought
By Jesus’ birth this night.

Make straight the crooked paths of might
By humble love and care;
Speak out whate’er the cost may be –
This is our Saviour’s prayer.
His work is ours – to live in peace,
To care for all oppressed;
Forgive, as we forgiveness seek,
And live in freedom blest!

© Neil Thompson 2023