In the Wilderness

*** Revised Common Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: Luke 3:1-6 CLASSIC POEM: John the Baptist Charlotte Mason No great man lives in vain; the tale is told A hundred ages after, how he, bold, Went forth to meet the dragon, slew the beast, While the delivered kingdom, glad, increased In wealth and peace and happy progeny, And blessed their saviour—sure, a great one, he! Some, great, with poet-words go forth to bless, And some, with mighty deeds of righteousness; Some, fruit of knowledge snatch from branches high Of sacred Tree few men are bold to try. What then did John that we should know him great,— Aware he hath enriched each man’s estate Of them that have come after? What owe we To the Great Baptist? Thankful, would we be! Image of dread, axe laid to root of tree, Threatens our hours of wilful levity; That life in desert spent, devoid of ease, Chides us at moments we the flesh would please; That ringing cry, “Repent, God is at hand!” Hear we when in the ways of sin we stand: And, ah, the grace that cries to men, “Behold The Lamb of God!” when hearts are proud and cold As flesh of the dead, and all because of sin! Sure, a great thing, by steadfast thought to win A single Nature-secret for men’s use; Or, thought, the world had hardly thought before,— One guiding principle of life, from store Eternal in the heavens, by which men live! John’s greatness ’twas, a few great thoughts to give As bread to famished men; his flashing word Is quick and powerful now as when first heard: For evermore we know—Christ shall increase, And we, in growing less shall find our peace: We know,—a man receives nor more nor less Than God bestows; the Good we take and bless The Giver, grudging not ’gainst him hath more; We know,—a man’s fulfilled when but a Voice, Emptied of all besides, he cries, Rejoice For joy of the Bridegroom’s presence: know we, too, To discern Messiah tabernacled new In this man, that man, even in me or you, By sign of the Dove; meekness and love attest, The King is present in that servant blest! But these be fragments of great debt we owe To him to whom ’twas given the Christ to know— The very Lamb of God, should take away The sins of all the world! take, day by day, Till all that enmity men manifest To God and to each other, at His hest,— By alchemy divine He knows to use On every heart doth not His act refuse,— See, turn to pity, penitence and prayer, And men confess, lo, Christ abideth there! God, who dost deal his lot to every one, We bless Thee, praise Thee, for Thy servant John! *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: In the Wilderness Amy Boucher Pye SNIPPET: In the wilderness The voice Not Elijah Not the Prophet