Ash Wednesday Spoken Word

Not so long ago, we Harked the Herald Angels Sing.

In the celebration of light, the Son was born again.

Gifts were given, love was shared.

Around a table of Christmas fair.

And Jesus, upon this earth did cry.

A baby’s whimper, a mother’s sigh.

Just seven short weeks ago, it seems

We sat in the stable, and dreamed their dreams.

Mary and Joseph had had a boy

Reality, too soon, overshadowed this joy.

Wise ones, they traveled, and avoided the king.

The one who feared what this baby might bring.

The slaughter of children brought darkness in

the worlds true identity ~~ we are smothered in sin.

But Jesus grew quickly, A rabbi, a teacher

Calling us all to do what he preaches

To bring sight to the blind

Food to the poor

To the homeless and helpless,

Open our doors.

Break chains of injustice, free the oppressed

Stop blaming victims, end disease and distress.

Reconcile community, define our foundation

Jesus calls us ~ to proclaim to all nations.

Not to earn anything

To be good enough

But because we are loved

We must give us up

To give of our lives to serve our great king

The one who is willing to do the same thing

To give up his life in love for us all

To right what is wrong, and answer his call

See, Jesus was born on this earth to forgive

To offer salvation, so all of us live ->

A life we are freed to serve one another

To give what we have to sister and brother

To sibling, to stranger, to enemy and friend

He came to this earth so that hatred could end.

The carols and lessons again in the past,

A time of reflection, confession and fast.

We gather this night to turn to the cross

To humbly kneel, to admit   we   are   lost

Lost in the hoopla, society, greed

In sin we are broken, we are in great need

“Remember you are dust, and to dust you return”

This dust, at our end, is all we can earn

But Jesus, well Jesus, insisted on love

Came to this earth to give hatred a shove

To change who we are by taking on death

To revive our souls and give us new breath

Death is defeated, no longer has claim

In your life, in my life, we call on Christ’s name

This season of Lent, brings shadows to light

Makes us more honest about daily strife

Are we as willing to give as Christ gives?

To give up ourselves so that others may live?

To right what is wrong, with family and friends

To offer forgiveness ~~  again and again and again and again?

See, Jesus knew what would happen to him

That excruciating death that would wipe away sin

So, this Lent we reflect, confess, meditate

On our Savior who died, to change all our fate.

He brings light to our darkness and hope from within

So, we kneel at this cross, we confess our sin.

                                               ~ By Pr Brenda L Froisland.  All are free to use with appropriate credit given.