(ZECHARIAH’S SONG FROM LUKE 1)
filled to overflowing,
and now to speak, to sing, to prophesy
the wonders of God coming and redeeming.
Filled with the Holy Spirit
what can it mean?
I cast doubt and make excuses
for why God only works within my means.
Filled with the Holy Spirit
how would it feel?
Like a warrior gone to battle
or an athlete receiving a medal
or a bird lifted in flight
or grain crushed under the millstone’s might?
Seeing an angel, receiving good news,
but no news is good news
when you’re caught in uncertainty,
when you’re asking for a sign
when you do not believe,
when the best you hope for are ancient prophecies,
promises unfulfilled, salvation unreceived.
But lift up my eyes, loosen my tongue,
Praise be to the Lord, for he has come.
The dawning of hope, the anointed one
God’s tender mercy, the rising sun.
The horn of salvation blasts into oppression
The rod of redemption rebukes occupation
The light of forgiveness shines on our sins
Dispersing the shadows of darkness within
Our ignorant minds
Our guilt-ridden hearts
Our deathly silence
Our hesitant feet.
When we were not worthy, undeserved and stained,
hopelessly grasping at hope in our name;
when enemies besieged and darkness encamped,
when hate held the fuel for our flickering lamp
Your love broke the bonds
Your righteousness loosed
The chains of our enemies
And death’s common noose.
to serve without fear on a path made smooth.
Our fathers, remember, our mothers, recall,
our children, rescue from this suffering world.
I will give you this land,
I will save your children from the enemy’s hand.”
You promised so long, long we waited for You
to uphold your oath and our misery undo.
Now lift up my eyes, loosen my tongue,
Praise be to the Lord, for he has come.
The dawning of hope, the anointed one
God’s tender mercy, the rising sun.
In a world of war, guide our feet to peace
where “fears are stilled,” and “strivings cease.”
Not an easy balance of silence and distance,
or a polite respect of handshakes and kisses,
but a wholesale renewal that we cannot imagine
a fullness established by your coming kingdom.
In a world of doubt, put our faith in you
the solid rock
the unshakeable foundation
the certainty of victory
the promised Messiah
the Son of God.
In a world so dull, may your glory reveal
the beauty in simply living with you.
Relationship, covenant, faithfulness,
life to the full in the knowledge of salvation.
In a world of cynicism, let hope arise
not in politics, religion, people, or institutions
not in celebrity, potential, degrees, or relations;
but in the sureness and certainty
of your kingdom come,
of our place in your service never undone,
of a day drawing near, when you wipe away tears,
when you restore the land, and eradicate fear,
when holiness and righteousness become the norm
when these bodies take on a heavenly form.
No more shadow of death, disability, or disease;
only worship and praise and the reign of peace.
So lift up our eyes, loosen our tongues,
Praise be to the Lord, for he has come.
The dawning of hope, the anointed one
God’s tender mercy, the rising sun.
Coordinator of the School of Ministry Accelerated Ministry Preparation Program