Statesman with your promise,
Rich man with your power,
Who will light the nations
Through this midnight hour?
Dark the heart of millions
Hungry to be fed,
Bitter at their toiling –
Who will give them bread?
Wisdom can be humble,
Wise men from afar
Knew themselves for nothing
Following a star.
Kings who left their kingdoms,
Humbly they trod,
Bearing thrones as offerings,
They were taught of God.
Proud men, bring your knowledge;
Frightened men, your fears;
Stubborn men, the hatreds
Of your wasted years.
Ye who would – but dare not;
Ye who dare – but fail;
Every living creature,
Valiant and frail.
See the thin brained cattle,
Wiser than you all.
Ox and ass together
Kneeling at the stall.
God Himself in heaven
Raised His head and smiled
As the wise and foolish
Journeyed to a Child.
God Himself is leaning
Out of heaven’s bar,
Waiting till men humbly
Follow on a star.
Peter Howard was a British journalist and leader of MRA (IofC UK) from 1961 – 1965.
Photo of ‘Christmas Crib’, currently on display, in St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, London. Created by Peter Eugene Ball, a Nottingham-based sculptor, whose work can also be found in Winchester Cathedral, Birmingham Cathedral and Southwell Minster.
