The Dragon, the Maiden and the Baby Boy, a song

I saw a strange sign burning in the heavens
One winter night
O, tidings of comfort and joy
When the world was dark and the sky was awash
With pale moonlight
I saw a dragon, a maiden, and a baby boy
O, a dragon, a maiden, and a baby boy

She was clothed with the sun and the moon
And the silver starlight
In her labor pains lifted up her cry
She gave birth to a heavenly child
That cold winter night
But the dragon lay in wait for the baby boy
O the dragon lay in wait for the baby boy

    But God rest ye, all ye merry Christian friends
    Hear the heavens ringing out with joy
    The earth resounds with praise that will never end
    For the dragon was trampled by the baby boy
    O the dragon was trampled by the baby boy

The dragon lashed with his tail and his teeth
To swallow the child
A third of the stars fell from the sky
The maiden fled through the darkness of the night
Off into to the wild
And the angles came to rescue her baby boy
O the angels came to rescue her baby boy

Then I saw a war break out in the heavens
All across the night sky
The dragon come to kill and to destroy
The host of heaven came out to meet him
And they raised the battle cry
And they cast him down with the love of the baby boy
O they cast him down with the love of the baby boy

    So: God rest ye, all ye merry Christian friends
    Hear the heavens ringing out with joy
    The earth resounds with praise that will never end
    For the dragon was trampled by the baby boy
    O the dragon was trampled by the baby boy

Now have come the salvation and the power of our God
The accuser of his children is cast down
We have triumphed over him
By the truth and the blood of a lamb
So rejoice! You heavenlies rejoice!
The Messiah is that Maiden’s Baby Boy
O Messiah is that Maiden’s Baby Boy

Now the dragon still is seeking to devour the maiden
In the wilderness
But she was given eagles wings with which to fly
Cause the dragon is defeated but the battle still is raging
For hope and peace
And the love of that glorious baby Boy

    So: God rest ye, all ye merry Christian friends
    Hear the heavens ringing out with joy
    The earth resounds with praise that will never end
    For the dragon was trampled by the baby boy
    And the dragon is trampled by that baby boy
    And the dragon will be trampled by that baby boy

Little Lamb of God, a song

Whose is this little head
Sweet intruding stranger?
Whose is this little head, lying on the straw
Let me make some room for you
Here at our humble manger
You’re welcome here, you’re welcome here
O perfect lamb of God

        Did you come to save me too?
        Little Lord of all creation?
        Cause I’ve been waiting too
        For the dawn of your salvation
        With an aching in my bleating heart I worship you
        As you lie there in my place, little Lamb of God

Whose is this little king
Sleeping in our stable
Who are you, little one
Wrapped in swaddling cloth?
Let me lend some warmth to you
While you're here and I am able
Cause soon the time will come for you
To be the lamb of God

        Did you come to save me too?
        Little Lord of all creation?
        Cause I’ve been waiting too
        For the dawn of your salvation
        With an aching in my bleating heart I worship you
        As you lie there in my place, little Lamb of God

        Did you come to save me too?
        Little Lord of all creation?
        Cause I’ve been waiting too
        For the dawn of your salvation
        With an aching in my bleating heart I worship you
        As you lie there in my place, little Lamb of God

Christ Child Lullaby, a song

Little tiny newborn hands so tiny and pure
Reaching for your mother’s face clutching at her hair
One day they will clutch the cross and bear it to the hill
Reach out to embrace the nails,
Let them pierce that perfect palm
O, little tiny newborn hands born to do the Father’s will

Little perfect newborn feet so gentle and warm
Kicking on your mother’s knee, swaddled safe from harm
One day they will walk the waves and make them calm and still
And stand in that forsaken place
And let them pierce that holy heel
O little perfect newborn feet, born to do the Father’s will

      You were born to live, born to die
      Three days later you would leap on high
      O little hands of God, born to beckon me
      Rest now on your mother’s knee
      Rest now on your mother’s knee

Little wrinkled newborn brow crowned with a wisp of hair
Cradled in your mother’s arms, quiet and fair
One day you will sweat forth blood and bear a crown of thorns
Twisted out of sin and shame,
to break and mock your holy name
O little wrinkled newborn brow, born to bear our sin alone

Little crying newborn eyes, so dark and so deep
Seeking for your mother’s breast for comfort and sleep
One day they will see the grave and weep on that morn
Weep for our helpless,
Weep in your love for us
O little crying newborn eyes, born to bear our sin alone

      You were born to live, born to die
      Three days later you would leap on high
      O little hands of God, born to beckon me
      Rest now on your mother’s knee
      Rest now on your mother’s knee

The Song Became a Child, a song

The song became a child
And the child became a prince
Welcomed to the world by angels and ruffians

The prince became a pauper
And he wore a crown of straw
While his mother rocked her Maker in her arms

His daddy was a carpenter
And he taught him how to build
Apprenticing the little boy who created wood

His brothers were his followers
And sinners were his friends
The Pauper who held heaven in his hands

So lift! Lift up your hearts tonight
The ox and the lamb sing lullabies
And join, Join in the Song tonight!
While angels harmonize

The pauper ruled a kingdom
Where only love was king
And everywhere the child went the song would sing

He sang it from the manger
Till a cross became his throne
The little child who was the Maker’s song

So lift! Lift up your hearts tonight
The ox and the lamb sing lullabies
And join, Join in the Song tonight!
While angels harmonize

Jesus, name above all names
Beautiful saviour, glorious Lord!
Emmanuel, God is with us
Blessed Redeemer, Living Word

So lift! Lift up your hearts tonight
The ox and the lamb sing lullabies
And join, Join in the Song tonight!
While angels harmonize

Peace on Earth, a song

God has called a truce between Creator and Creation
God is making peace with his war weary world
So lay down your arms and lift up the celebration
And come adore the child,
Come adore the child
Come adore the child who is Christ the Lord

For Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth, good will!
For Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth, good will!

You don't have to be afraid or filled with trepidation
Behold I bring good news for all this hurting world
So come out of your fears and join the celebration
And come adore the child,
Come adore the child
Come adore the child who is Christ the Lord

For Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth, good will!
For Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth, good will!

My Heart's Magnificat, a song

The God who rescues the poor in his mercy
Became poor for us
Born to the scandal of a virgin birth
The God who fathers the fatherless
The God who lifts up the lowly
Became the lowest of all
The God who was everywhere, always there
Has become our Emmanuel

Chorus:
So this is the cry of my heart’s Magnificat
Cause who in the world could ever imagine that
That the light of the world would become blood and bone
When the Maker of All made a stable his home
As a beautiful baby the Holy Spirit begat
So be glorified, be glorified,
Be glorified in my heart’s Magnificat

Verse 2:
The God who binds up the broken hearted
Took on a heart that could bleed
Born in the body of a helpless baby
The God who meets our every need
The God who fills up the Heavens
Had nowhere to lay his head
He was made like us in every way
So that we might be made like him

Bridge:
I am the servant of the Lord,
May it be to me as you have spoken
I am the servant of the Lord,
I choose what you have already chosen
I am the servant of the Lord,
To do with me as you will
From now until you come again,
I'll be praising you still

"Cause this is the cry of my heart’s Magnificat
And who in the world could ever imagine that
That the light of the world would become blood and bone
When the Maker of all made a stable his home
As a beautiful baby the Holy Spirit begat
So be glorified, be glorified,
Be glorified in my heart’s Magnificat

He Shall Be Called, a Song

When Messiah comes, when Messiah comes
All the wolves will lie down with the lamb
Every eye shall see, every tongue shout it out
The glory of the great I AM!

And He shall be called, wonderful counselor
And King of kings he shall be called
And he will beat all our swords to ploughshares
Our Prince of peace, Almighty God
Our Prince of peace, Almighty God

When Messiah comes, when Messiah comes
We won’t train for war ever anymore
And all the world shall see the goodness of his love
And they will walk in the light of the Lord

And He shall be called, wonderful counselor
And King of kings he shall be called
And he will beat all our swords to ploughshares
Our Prince of peace, Almighty God
Our Prince of peace, Almighty God

For to us a child is given
O to us a Son is born
Like the dawn on the horizon
In the early hours of morn
And the people in the darkness
See his light is on the rise
With a kingdom on his shoulders
And God’s mercy in his eyes

He shall be called, wonderful counselor
And King of kings he shall be called
And he will beat all our swords to ploughshares
Our Prince of peace, Almighty God
Our Prince of peace, Almighty God

Five Guitars, a poem

Once there were five guitars
Hanging on the wall.
Ready to pick up and play
When the Spirit came to call.
But three of them are packed up
And they're set out on the stage—
This house once had five guitars
But three have come of age
(How quickly they all grew).
This house once had five guitars
But now there's only two.

The Prayers of Our Lord, a devotional thought.

One of the most encouraging truths of the Christian life is the simple fact that Jesus himself is always praying for his followers, continually interceding on our behalf. Consider John 17, for instance. Here, Jesus prays this awe-inspiring and beautiful prayer for his disciples, that they would have his joy complete in them, that they would be guarded from evil, that they would be sanctified in truth, and on and on it goes. And then in verse 20 he says, “I don’t ask this just for the sake of the disciples alone, but for all those who believe in me through their word.” As far as I can tell, he’s talking there about us, who believe. In other words, the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed for you and I, who believe in him, that we would be one with him and the Father, just as he and the Father are One. People sometimes use the term “Prayer Warrior” to describe a brother or sister in Christ who is particularly faithful, determined, insightful and passionate in their intercessory prayers. Sometimes just knowing that you have a prayer warrior in your corner can make all the difference. How much more difference can it make to know that in Christ we have the ultimate Prayer Warrior, praying to the Father for our unity and sanctification and joy? May each of us hear his prayers over us and for us and on our behalf today, as we go through whatever this day has in store.

The Theology of Work (Part 8): On Worship and Work

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The English word “liturgy,” a term used to describe the various acts of worship that happen in a traditional Christian worship service (responsive readings, corporate prayers, public reading of scripture, etc.) originally meant “the work of the people.” It comes from two Greek words, leitos (“people,” from which we get the term laity) and ergos (“work”). Most contemporary Christian worship services include very little liturgy, per se, and approach the whole experience of worship as an individualized emotive encounter rather than a literal “labor of love.” But originally that’s what worship was: leitourgia, the work of God’s people.

I point this out to help us see the very clear theological connections between work, on the one hand, and worship, on the other. Often Christian discussions of the theological significance of work include warnings about the danger of turning our work into an idol, of coming to worship it as a source of power, security, and meaning in itself. Work is a good gift from God, we will say, but if it becomes detached from God, an end in itself, it can become an idol. Usually the signs we look for, to determine if such idolatry is happening is: over-work, a poor work/life balance, depending on our work for our significance, and so on.

While such statements are true to an extent—there is something spiritual about our work, and an unhealthy relationship with it is a sign of something spiritually unhealthy in us—still, I am not sure the warnings against “making an idol out of our work” are theologically precise enough. If it’s true that worship itself, in the biblical sense, is a form of “work,” then it would probably be more accurate to say that our work—the way we undertake it, our motivations for doing it, and the relationship we have towards it—always reveals what it is we’re really worshiping.

Work can’t “become an idol,” strictly speaking, but it is all too easy to give our work to an idol, and end up serving idols through it.

This may seem like so much theological hair splitting to some, this distinction I’m making between “worshipping work as an idol” versus “worshipping idols through our work,” but it is, I would argue, a biblical understanding of the relationship between idolatry and work.

It goes all the way back at least as far as the Exodus story, where the children of Israel are in bondage to Egypt, forced to work for Pharaoh, the embodiment of Egyptian idolatry. The caveat, of course, is that Israel is not willfully serving Pharaoh, not willfully worshiping the idols of Egypt, but on that point, notice a) how the “Egyptian slavery” will become a metaphor for all kinds of spiritual bondage and sin-enslavement in later readings of the story, and b) in a biblical understanding of idolatry, idol worship is itself a form of slavery, a forced worship that, until we are redeemed of it, we are “trapped in” and “bound to give” whether deep down we want to or not (See Galatians 4:8).

So it’s fair game, hermeneutically speaking, to suggest that through their bondage to Pharaoh Israel was, in a theological sense, serving the idols of Egypt. And in that theological sense, it is all kinds of fascinating to me that when Moses comes to liberate the people, he says that the Lord wants Pharaoh to set Israel free, so they can go and “worship him” in the wilderness (Exodus 7:16). I call it fascinating because the word the Lord uses there, the word the NIV has translated as “worship” is the word ‛âbad in Hebrew. Rendering ‛âbad as “worship” is a fair enough translation, but it’s not as precise as it could be, because the word literally means “to serve” or “to work for.”

Literally what the Lord tells Pharaoh is: “Release my people from your service, so they can come and serve me instead.”

One pastor colleague once put it like this: “Israel is not being liberated here, so much as they are having a change of management.” Of course, the Lord is a manager who is only always good, and merciful, and kind, and true, the only master really worth serving (which is why our willing work for him is indeed worship; that we delight in serving him the way we do declares his “worth-ship.”). While all this is true of the Lord, and more, still it stands out starkly to me that implied in the Exodus story is the idea that Yahweh is freeing Israel from working for the idols of Egypt, explicitly so that they can work for him instead.

This brings us back to the statement that started us off, that worship is work, and that who (or what) we’re working for is a sign of who (or what) we truly worship. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no idolatry going on in my work. Discovering my significance in things other than my work doesn’t necessarily mean I’m not still worshipping an idol, either.

The real question to ask is simply: who am I really working for?

Am I working for the money? Am I working for someone else’s approval? For power? Security? Self-defined ambitions? “The Man?”

If the answer is “yes” to any of these things, it may be that I’m still slaving away for Pharaoh, however healthy my attitudes may be towards the work he has me doing.

The alternative, of course, is to experience what the children of Israel experienced in the Exodus Story, a redemptive change of management. To come to see what we do in the work world as (to quote Paul on the matter), “working for the Lord and not for human beings” (Colossians 3:23). This entails an entire change of heart, and motive, and attitude towards our work, coming to understand it—whether it’s writing sermons or swinging hammers—as something we’re doing for the glory of God and the joy of serving him.

What we will discover when we have this change of management, I think, is that He is still as good a master to work for as he was back in Moses’s day. He does not work us to the bone; he does not reward our best efforts grudgingly; he promises to provide for us, through it, from his bounty and in his wisdom. He is able to do what no idol can, and take whatever we may have to offer through our work and turn them into something that is satisfying for us and life-giving for others.