The magi at the empty manger

wordsout by godfrey rust
Incarnate < 10 of 26 > < christmas >

First voice

Now that we’ve found

that the manger is empty

and the child that was born

moves on with our limbs,

we bring the world’s riches—

like gold, brightly shining—

what will you do with them,

baby of Bethlehem?

Will we hoard them all selfishly

in our own heaven,

squander them rashly

while pleasures remain,

or spend them all carefully

for friend and stranger,

trading our talents

for everyone’s gain?

Second voice

Now that we’ve found

that the manger is empty

and the child that was born

thinks on through our minds,

we bring the world’s prayers—

like incense, slow rising—

what will you do with them,

baby of Bethlehem?

Will we answer them selfishly,

taking our profit,

using them ruthlessly,

priming our power,
or hear them all carefully,

each need embracing,

listening patiently

hour after hour?

Third voice

Now that we’ve found

that the manger is empty

and the child that was born

lives on till our deaths,
we bring the world’s hopes—

like myrrh, all embalming—

what will you do with them,

baby of Bethlehem?

Will we crush them all selfishly,

scornful in judgment,

scatter them recklessly

on winds of strife,

or sow them all carefully,

ground in endurance,

seeds of your suffering,

growing to life?

Written for the carol service at St John’s, West Ealing in 2017.

Performed by three speakers each holding out a box representing one of the gifts, and placing them in an empty manger at the end of each voice.

I have set this to music as Epiphany song. A lead sheet of melody and chords is available from me by email here.