Amid the many thoughts

Of what we each might be

What images can help us live

With hope and dignity?

Should heroes fill our minds

With warfare and with strife

Urging us to take up arms

And sacrifice our life?

Perhaps a clown would suit,

With sad or happy face,

Whose thinking tumbles upside down

Within God’s laughing space?

Would feudal king or lord

Be our best frame of mind?

Should pyramids of wealth and pow’r

Be sought for or declined?

Or should the victim role?

The one whom others used,

Allow our power to be assigned,

Our worth to be abused?

Beyond the powerless role,

Beyond rebellion’s space,

Beyond oppressor’s use of pow’r

We find the Christ Child’s face.

May strong ones feel their wounds,

May meek ones own their fire,

May all crusaders learn to laugh

And sing within God’s choir.

O God who comes in peace,

As nurture and support,

Help us adopt the Jesus Way

Of actioned love and thought.

Alternative Tune: ICH HALTE TREULICH STILL

Text and Music © William Livingstone Wallace

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