There!

There at the right time, Christ came down from Heav'n;

There in time's fullness, God the Son was giv'n.

There, Jesus born of Mary — Infinite disguised —

Him we esteemed not, Him we then despised.

There on the hillside, crowds were fed from Heav'n;

There in His teaching, spir'tual bread was giv'n;

He touched, He healed, He strengthened, Life anew He gave;

He came among us: He His sheep to save.

There in a body, Christ abode with us,

Obeying fully, living victorious!

He always pleased the Father, to His will He bent;

Knowing the full cost, to the cross He went.

There in a Garden, on His bended knees,

There hear His anguish, hear His fervent pleas:

There Father's will was spoken; to that will aligned.

There it was spoken: "Not My will but Thine."

Then in a Garden, see the empty grave;

He rose victorious, mighty then to save!

Delivered for our sins but raised to justify,

Brings us to Zion from dread Mount Sinai!

There in your heart enthrone Him Lord and King;

There in each action let His praises ring!

Let hallelujahs ring out now and for all days:

Unto Him only be eternal praise!

Christmas Meditation

Think on this at this time of year:

Christ the giver; Christ the gift. Christ the victim; Christ the priest. Christ the Blessed; Christ the Blesser and the Blessing. Christ the Alpha and the Omega. Christ the Fountain and the Flow. Christ the Way and Christ our Goal. Truly from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. And at Christmas we contemplate Him who had no beginning suddenly became: Eternity compressed within the span of man.

The Wedding Feast

Adorned in riches sits the honored Bride,

    Object of His never dying Love:

    He paid the dowry, brought her now Above

And whispers of Grace—for her crucified.

The Wedding Feast around them spreads so vast:

    They feast and dine on lamb and drink new wine,

    And at their sides there sits a regal lion;

While many guests, their homage pay, file past.

He tells her of His Love that never dies;

    And she looks out across the Crystal Sea

    And asks, “How could have You loved me?”

He draws her closer and hears her quiet sighs:

         Whispering to her of His Sacrifice,

         He causes her to understand and know

                                        Her Christ!

- D. Benning
August 1980