Tag: Jesus baptism

Baptised into being, the Lord of creation – hymn inspired by Matthew 3:13-17)

Baptised into being, the Lord of creation (Matthew 3:13-17)

1	Baptised into being, the Lord of creation:
	the dove is descending the Spirit has come, 
	it soars and it swoops on the face of the waters, 
	Christ blessed in that moment, his mission begun.
	
2	Here John the Baptiser will pass on the baton, 
	though harsh and prophetic, his message, refined,
	will gain a new purpose, as Jesus will challenge:
	the powers and authorities now undermined.
	
3	But that will come later, for now for the honing 
	of all his integrity, knowledge and skill, 
	the Christ is cast out to the wilds of the desert, 
	where animals forage and hunger can kill.
	
4	And on his return he will live as God with us, 
	humanity clothed with both loving and grace, 
	to temper all justice with mercy, compassion, 
	a model of life for the whole human race.
	
5	And when will we walk in the steps of this master? 
	And when will we emulate what we see there:
	inclusive and limitless love for creation 
	where all is of value and all deserve care?

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2011 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 12 11 12 11
Tunes: ST CATHERINE’S COURT

A laser like tongue – A hymn inspired by Jesus baptism which might be used as a dramatic reading

A laser like tongue – A hymn inspired by Jesus baptism which might be used as a dramatic reading.



A laser like tongue used when speaking God's word, 

an arc-light to shine through the crass or absurd. 

The prophet had spoken of just such a voice, 

embodied in John who would offer God's choice.

	

A preacher from Galilee joined in the crowd, 

not hidden, John pointed and called him out loud.

The lamb, God's anointed, Messiah had come, 

the Spirit confirming that this was God's son.

	

The world and God's people spun round by this man 

discovered that grace had a limitless span; 

and this, while offending the pious, the priest,

brought joy to the ones once regarded as least.

	

Some soon caught the essence, the crisis, the power, 

the challenge of Jesus to twist or devour 

their present conceptions, their life-long deceit, 

to turn them, re-focus, and make them complete.

	

And so those around heard both challenge and choice, 

the sense of authority rang through his voice. 

The call to leave everything seemed so absurd 

and yet they responded to Jesus's word.

	

That word is still rippling, extending through space, 

it reaches through time and it tells of God's grace;

it sharpens perception, it rings in each ear, 

the spirit is moving, the Kingdom is near.



Andrew Pratt (born 1948) based on Isaiah 49 vs 1-7; Mark 1: 9 – 15; John 1 vs 29-42 

© Stainer & Bell Ltd. 

Metre: 11 11 11 11

Tune: PADERBORN (Paderborn Gesangbuch 1765) Perhaps this text could be read dramatically rather than sung?