A Christmas Carol for today
Tune: Cranham – original words: Christina Rossetti
Photo by Carol Kreis, USA
In this bleak pandemic, lonely and afraid
City streets are empty, gatherings delayed
Snow has fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
Oh this bleak pandemic, how long will it stay?
Once there was a stable, in a distant land
Oppressed by foreign rulers with a brutal hand
There a peasant woman birthed upon the hay
The healer of the planet on the manger lay.
Sky illuminated by a star so bright
Wise men on their camels came to see the sight
Angels sang in chorus, shepherds gathered round
Mary sat alongside, uttered not a sound
Oh this bleak pandemic, how long will it last?
Locked inside our houses, waiting till it’s passed –
Let’s tell ourselves the story, old and dear
Of that holy night when heaven came near.
Jim Burklo, Senior Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California, writes progressive prayers, hymns and other worship items. Many of his liturgical materials can be found in his book “Birdlike and Barnless: Meditations, Prayers, and Songs for Progressive Christians” (2008, St Johann Press). Explore his blog for more words for worship.
