'Peace on Earth!’ The angels sang,
Above the Earth their praises rang,
‘And glory be to God on high!’
Their worship filled the starlit sky.
But what is peace when Romans tax
And Herod launches his attacks?
Then Mary, Joseph, Jesus fled
To Egypt till that king was dead.
‘Peace on Earth!’ the Angels said,
but dreadful wars persist instead.
In every corner of the earth
Vengeance brings new death to birth.
The sword that pierced dear Mary's soul,
Still shedding blood from pole to pole.
The homeless and the refugee
From violent men still run and flee.
‘Peace on Earth!’ the shepherds heard.
Can this be true? It sounds absurd.
Are we the butt of heaven's joke,
Has God forgotten to revoke
The license to the men of war
Who injure and oppress the poor?
The Prince of Peace is born today,
But evil men still maim and slay.
‘Peace on Earth!’ Lord, can it be?
You walked the shores of Galilee,
For three brief years you healed and taught,
Before they brought you to the court,
Where Roman prefect washed his hands
And sold you to the crowd’s demands.
They stripped you naked, stole your gown,
To wooden cross they nailed you down.
And Mary watched her precious child
While ruthless men his flesh defiled
And as they pierced his hands with nails
They pierced her soul and silent wails
Rose up within her troubled breast.
From bloodshed can there be no rest?
And then a spear into his side,
As life flowed from the crucified.
That sabbath silence round the throne
Until an angel rolled the stone,
And showed the Prince of Life arose,
Had put to flight his evil foes.
‘Peace be with you!’ said the Lord.
'Go spread this message all abroad,
Peace on Earth, goodwill to men,
The Prince of Peace alive again.
And so we now have peace with God,
For Christ our Lord our path has trod.
With peace of heart and peace of soul,
The peace of Christ now makes us whole.
But on the earth the men of war,
Who heap disaster on the poor,
Shall face the Lord who bears the sword,
The One forevermore adored.
Oh come, Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace
Come open up the doors, release
The captives and the hungry poor.
Come open heaven’s gracious door,
Come, Saviour, come and put to flight
Your enemies and bring your light.
Come bring your peace, your love, your grace
Into this broken, grieving place.
Your kingdom come, your will be done
And may unhindered justice run.
And may your peace rule in our hearts
Till every anxious thought departs.
Lord, let your peace reign on the earth
Lord, let your peace bring life to birth
And glory be to God Most High
Let endless worship fill the sky!
Amen!
© Neil Rogers 2021
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