From a Stable Lowly

Once a stranger, fleeing the danger of soldiers with swords everywhere

Today, I'm sending you my warmest wishes for a beautiful season of goodwill. My family and I are celebrating Christmas, so I'm going to keep this short.

This evening, instead of a interview, a review, or a deep dive into the craft of writing musicals, I'm sharing a song about some things that have been weighing on my mind and entering into my prayers, especially at this season. I'd like to share just a little bit of the personal background.

I am a volunteer facilitator of a drop in for people who are hungry and often without homes. This work has changed me in the three years that I've been doing it. Before the program, I used to avert my eyes when I was walking by the people who spend much of the day on the street. It wasn't just that I didn't want to be approached for loose change. I was actually afraid of them.

Now they are my friends. We know each other by name. We visit together, play cards, laugh, even dance. It's changed everything.

A little over a week ago, our town council gave notice that it will not be renewing the financial support that's paid for rental of our gathering place. It looked like the program would need to be shut down. Until people from the community started coming forward with donations to keep it open. Their generosity and support feel miraculous, and like a taste of possibilities yet to be realized.

So, this song is partly about the difficult problems of homelessness, and also about the thorny issue of how nations respond to immigration, both of these in the light of my faith about a King who was born in a stable, who became a refugee, who spent His ministry without a home, and who gave His life for all mankind. The lyrics and melody are mine. Vocals, orchestration and production by Suno.AI

Since I can't figure out how to post it here, I'm sharing this link where you can access it. I'd love your thoughts.

Here are the lyrics:

To a stable lowly he came

Creator of all

Now helpless and small

Immanuel, His name

God with us in grief

Bringing relief

It's been millennia since He was born

Yet I'd honor Him this Christmas morn

And I cannot fly to greet Him

I just imagine I'm there

Close by the manger

Snatched from the danger

That claimed me if not for His care

Oh, I'm longing to thank Him

His word fills my mind, oh, I see

"My work hasn't ceased

What you do to the least;

That you are doing to me"

Desperate for refuge, they've come,

Case incomplete; they're snatched from the street.

Or homeless and trying to numb,

Drunken demands meet hard hearts and tight hands.

Can I call them a problem, not to be borne,

And still honor Him this Christmas morn?

'Cause He who would seek out the broken

Gather them into His care,

Once was a stranger

Fleeing the danger

Of soldiers with swords everywhere.

Oh, how could they have abused Him?

His word fills my mind, and I see

"My work hasn't ceased

What you do to the least;

That you are doing to me"

Not gonna claim that I understand

I know that these issues are fraught

But I'm praying we'll find

In all humankind

The face of the One the shepherds sought

'Cause I cannot fly to greet Him

I just imagine I'm there

Close by the manger

Snatched from the danger

That claimed me if not for His care

Oh, I'm longing to thank Him

His word fills my mind and, I see:

"My work hasn't ceased

What you do to the least;

That you are doing to me"

That you are doing to me

---

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