A Song for Epiphany

Wake up, Jerusalem!

© D. J. Hayman (December 2007 )

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Magi are riding into town— Wake up, Jerusalem!—

Necks craning, studying the skies,

Hearts pounding as the stars align!

Scribes, scattering, search through the scrolls;

They know when Herod’s restless that heads will roll;

But, smooth as a snake, he feigns his delight,

“Find the Child and show me; He’ll be precious in my sight.

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“Dismount, we’ll go from here on foot.” (Hush now, O Bethlehem.)

“Here’s the house. Come now on your knees;

We’ve brought our gifts to worship His Majesty.

A prophet’s voice still echoes through our land:

‘Dynasties shall rise and fall, and crumble into sand;

But then shall appear, before the Ancient of Days,

An everlasting Ruler worthy of all praise.’”

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Soldiers, marching in a line— Mourn now, O Bethlehem!—

Swords flash; screaming shatters sleep!

Infancy aborted; Rachel weeps!

Fear runs rampant, swallows up hope;

Blackness advances the light to choke;

But this is the Light which shines in the dark:

The darkness cannot overcome, nor even glimpse Its heart.

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Water dripping from His brow— Wake up, Jerusalem!—

Heavens opened, the Spirit, as a dove,

Abides on Him— Hear the words from above!

This is the Son, the Light of the world:

Gleaming in the wedding cup; Glory on the mountain top!

As dust ’round His feet lie the strongholds of hell,

Stripped of their power by the Love that conquers all.

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