Thursday, December 20, 2007

The Rebel Jesus

By Jackson Browne, from "The Bells of Dublin" by the Chieftains and Friends. May I please, please preach this on Christmas eve? Please?

All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
Theyll be gathering around the hearths and tales
Giving thanks for all gods graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus

Well they call him by the prince of peace
And they call him by the savior
And they pray to him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavor
As they fill his churches with their pride and gold
And their faith in him increases
But they've turned the nature that I worshiped in
From a temple to a robbers den
In the words of the rebel Jesus

We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if any one of us should interfere
In the business of why they are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus

But please forgive me if I seem
To take the tone of judgment
For I've no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In this life of hardship and of earthly toil
We have need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure
And I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus.

8 comments:

Dr. Laura Marie Grimes said...

Lovely, C. Thank you.

Dr. Laura Marie Grimes said...

P.S. Reminds me of Dom Helder Camara: When I help the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a Communist....

Josephine- said...

Cecilia this is one of my favorite Christmas songs and almost certainly my favorite Christmas album. I'd love to hear someone preach it. :)

don't eat alone said...

Sounds like a sermon to me.

Peace,
Milton

Jan said...

I've never heard this song, but now wish I could. Thank you for these words.

Diane M. Roth said...

I LOVE this song. first heard it on a Christmas Day, driving back from South Dakota to Mpls.

Barbara B. said...

Yes, that is a GREAT song! (I'd love to hear it preached too!) :)

RevDrKate said...

Wouldn't it just be a great thing if we ALL preached it...not just on Christmas but always...thank you.