Sunday, December 24, 2006

Another Advent Meditation



Yoou know, each of the last several years, my Christmas prayers have included asking again for what we were promised the first time. Peace on Earth, Good Will towards mankind. Yeah, I know, the peace is peace between man and God, all references to liberty are liberty from sin, death, and the Devil, etc, etc. But still, is a little peace here ON Earth, between man and man, too much to ask?
Scott the Obscure
When wilt thou save the people?
O God of mercy, when?
The people, Lord, the people,
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
Flowers of thy heart, O God, are they;
let them not pass like weeds away
Their heritage a sunless day
God save the people

Shall crime bring crime forever,
Strength aiding still the strong?
Is it thy will, O Father,
that men shall toil for wrong?
No, say thy mountains; No, say thy skies;
man's clouded sun shall brightly rise,
and songs be heard, instead of sighs,
God save the people!

When wilt thou save the people?
O God of mercy, when?
The people, Lord, the people!
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
God save the people; thine they are,
thy children as thy angels fair;
from vice, oppression and despair,
God save the people!

The words date to 1850, but I know the song from Godspell.

The question is still current. Marana tha. O Lord, come. Save the people.

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