With the dawn of a new church year, we have launched a new feature on our website, a weekly post of poetry that resonates with the lectionary readings for that week (Revised Common Lectionary).
*** Revised Common Lectionary ***
Lectionary Reading:
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice
George Macdonald
“Rejoice,” said the Sun; “I will make thee gay
With glory and gladness and holiday;
I am dumb, O man, and I need thy voice!”
But man would not rejoice.
“Rejoice in thyself,” said he, “O Sun,
For thy daily course is a lordly one;
In thy lofty place rejoice if thou can:
For me, I am only a man.”
“Rejoice,” said the Wind; “I am free and strong,
And will wake in thy heart an ancient song;
Hear the roaring woods, my organ noise!”
But man would not rejoice.
“Rejoice, O Wind, in thy strength,” said he,
“For thou fulfillest thy destiny;
Shake the forest, the faint flowers fan;
For me, I am only a man.”
“Rejoice,” said the Night, “with moon and star,
For the Sun and the Wind are gone afar;
I am here with rest and dreaming choice!”
But man would not rejoice;
For he said-”What is rest to me, I pray,
Whose labour leads to no gladsome day?
He only can dream who has hope behind:
Alas for me and my kind!”
Then a voice that came not from moon or star,
From the sun, or the wind that roved afar,
Said, “Man, I am with thee-hear my voice!”
And man said, “I rejoice.”
*** This poem is in the public domain,
and may be read in a live-streamed worship service.
Amazing Peace
Maya Angelou
SNIPPET:
Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.
It is the Glad Season.
Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.
Flood waters recede into memory.
Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us
As we make our way to higher ground.
…
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