In the time when the earth was new made,
Sinned the man and his wife ‘gainst the LORD.
But th’Almighty His love then displayed,
For a healing balm ‘comp’nied His sword.
He said, “Painful be birth, and the earth cursèd be,
“And the serpent e’er strive against men!
“But I’ll send you a Savior to set your souls free,
“And I’ll make you My children again.”

When the Hebrews from slav’ry were saved,
And God led them with cloud and with fire,
Though in sin did they revel, depraved,
Still God tempered with mercy His ire.
In wrath God sent foul snakes, an they bit and made sick,
And the people succumbed unto death.
God said, “Make you a brazen snake raised on a stick,
“And be healed looking on it in faith.”

In the Psalter, King David proclaimed,
“Said the LORD to my Lord, ‘Sit by me,
” ‘Till your enemies ‘fore you are shamed.
” ‘You my King-Priest forever shall be.’ ”
And God’s prophets predicted the Méssiah’s birth
Of a virgin in small Bethlehem.
By His stripes would be healed all the men of the earth
Who believed that His blood would save them.

When the Caesar, Augustus, did rule,
To a virgin named Mary was told
By an angel, “You’ll be the LORD’s tool,
“Giving birth to the Promise of Old.”
The she asked in amazement, “How can this thing be?
“I am still but a virgin betrothed!”
He said, “Naught is impossible for th’Almighty
“Who in glory and power is clothed.”

Said the angel, “His name shall you call
“Jesus, for from sin all men He’ll save.
“His great kingdom it never shall fall!
“To the Son of the Most High King, Ave!”
Also unto Joséph had an angel appeared.
(He was pledged to with Mary be one.)
And the angel explained, saying “Be not affeared,
“For the child Mary bears is God’s Son.”

The the Caesar, Augustus, in Rome,
Did a nationwide census eclare,
Saying, “Go each man unto his home,
“To his birthplace, to register there.”
So then Joseph from Nazareth, Mary with him,
Did the comfortless journey begin.
They rode unto his birthplace, the small Bethlehem,
But no room could they find in the inn.

So they lodged in an animal stall,
And that night Mary birthèd her son–
The Messiah, the Savior of all,
Christ, Emmanuel, and Holy One.
Shepherds watching their flocks in the fields there nearby
Looked in awe at the heavens above,
For an angel of God had appeared in the sky
Singing peace and salvation and love.

He said, “Peace to you! Be not afraid!
“For great tidings of joy do I bring.
“Born this night, in a manger now laid,
“Is the Savior, Messiah, the King!”
Then a bright host of angels appeared in the sky
Singing, “Glory to God in the height!
“And great peace be on earth,” they continued their cry,
“To the men who are pure in God’s sight!”

This great wonder, it left them in awe.
They excitedly hurried away.
In the stable by lamp-light they saw
The sweet Christ-child asleep on the hay.
In the East rose a star, the sign of the Christ-King,
And the Magi did follow it thence,
For to worship the King and their riches to bring:
Bitter myrrh and gold and frankincense.

That sweet Babe grew up into a man.
And he taught all the ways of the LORD.
He in holiness followed God’s plan.
Ev’rything that He had He outpourred.
Jesus many miraculous signs did perform,
For the power of God did He wield.
He made little feed thousands, commanded the storm;
By Him blind, lame, and lepers were healed.

As a shepherd with chastising rod
Did He come for to rescue His flock,
And to show them the way unto God,
But they, proud and unheeding, did mock.
So despised and rejected and murdered was He–
As God’s prophets of old were injúred–
In the end scourged and spat upon, hung on a tree;
Thus salvation for us was secured.

Thus the blood of sweet Jesus was spilled,
Running out for each, ev’ry man’s sin.
But the Lamb was not for ever killed–
On the third day He rose up again!
Went fair Jesus to sit at the right hand of God,
Bright ascending in glory and pow’r.
He has said He will come for us. Sing to Him laud!
LORD we breathlessly wait for that hour.

Jeremy Brown. Thanksgiving, 1994.