Hints of the Incarnation

Hints of the Incarnation

It is easy to proclaim you lord, in times of plenty and joy, when there is abundance of grain

Much harder to enthrone you, in tear streaked grief, or gut wrenching pain

You are lord of the dance, baby Jesus ever meek and always mild

Tell that to the woman who’s just miscarried her third child

You healed the sick, made the lame walk, the deaf hear and the blind see

Yet now the cry rings out amongst us “if you healed them, why can’t you heal me?”

It’s easy to acclaim you lord, to swing incense, to sing psalms to our king

When things are going well and wedding bells ring

But when the rain comes in, when a storm rocks our life

When we lose our job, our house, husband or wife

Let’s not pretend it’s easy to trust in Gods loving grace

Or sit in church amongst the joyful, with tears streaming down our face

Let us proclaim him king, in the grime, grunge and dross

Lost in the mystery of the incarnation and the sweet wood of the cross

Sweet wood and sweet iron, precious instrument of our salvation

On you was hung the blessed lamb the very author of creation

Jesus when you do not answer prayer, when it feels that you are not there

Help us to remember that you are ever present, that you love and you care

Let us cling to our king, in the rain, storm and drought

Allowing our pain and anger and even our doubt

With the gift of this sweet child, this tangible gift of grace

Your covenant ever new, your sign of hope in this place

The family, your church in miniature here at this place on earth

Not perfect, but in its humanity broken, rejoices at this birth

King incarnate, in Canterbury, in Kent and in grace everywhere

You are not just hinted at, or abstract, you are truly there

Jesus please hear me, please listen even in my grief

Lord I do believe “help thou mine unbelief!”