I sought him dressed in finest clothes, where money talks and status grows; but power and wealth he never chose;
It seemed he lived in poverty.
I sought him in the safest place, remote from crime or cheap disgrace; but safety never knew his face;
It seemed he lived in jeopardy.
I sought him where the spotlights glare, where crowds collect and critics stare; but no one knew his presence there;
It seemed he lived in obscurity.
Then in the streets, we heard the word, that seemed, for all the world, absurd:
That those who could no gifts afford were entertaining Christ the Lord.
And so, distinct from all we’d planned, among the poorest of the land, we did what few might understand:
We touched God in a baby’s hand.
Carol of the Epiphany by John L. Bell
Copyright ©1992, WGRG, the Iona Community, Scotland
GIA Publications, Inc., exclusive North American agent, www.giamusic.com
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Blessings of Christmas and Joy in the New Year from the NC Council of Churches Staff and Interns
George, Rose, Aleta, Susannah, Joy, Shannon, Jennie, Ashley, Collins, David, Sandy, Steve, Nicole, Marcus, Kyle, and Reuben
