This is a key week for the future of the earth. The Climate Change talks in Paris are seeking a global agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions and prevent global warming above 2 degrees. Many experts believe our target should be more ambitious still: to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees only.
The weather, rather than the climate, was making the news last weekend with the dreadful floods in North West England and South West Scotland. Extreme weather events are just one symptom of global climate change.
Most years in this season I try and write a new hymn or song as the verse for my Christmas card. Writing the verse helps me to begin thinking about the great themes of the Christmas season. This year I have tried to focus on the gift of creation and the earth, our fragile common home.
The first chapter of John’s gospel is always read in Church at Christmas. John 1 speaks of the creation of the world through God’s Word (or reason) and of God’s Word taking flesh to live among us in Jesus Christ. John 1 echoes the beautiful words of Genesis 1 where God creates the heavens and the earth, separating sky from land and sea (“In the beginning….”).
The new carol in turn echoes both of these Bible passages. I’ve also used a couple of phrases taken from the recent letter of Pope Francis on climate change, Laudato Si, which is subtitled: “On care for our common home”. The letter speaks powerfully about discipleship and care for the created world.
Finally, I’ve set the hymn to the well known tune: “The King of Love my shepherd is” – music many people link with God’s love and care for all the world.
You’re very welcome to use the words as a prayer, as a song you sing by yourself or one you use in Church. As you pray, remember those caught up in the dreadful floods this past weekend and those working hard in Paris to prevent the warming of our world.
Creator of our common home
And maker of such wonder
You crafted fire and sky and stone
Dividing seas asunder
In love you set the earth in space
In joy ordained its pathway
Filled earth and sea and sky with grace
That we might praise you always
We turned away your gift of life
Polluted all you gave us
The land was spoiled, we favoured strife
Lives turned away from goodness
In Bethlehem you gave your Son
Creator in creation
To win us back and call us home
Revealing your salvation
The Word of God took human form
Eternity in person
Reason and love came to transform
God’s gift for our conversion
Creator of our common home
Redeemer of such mercy
Sustainer of all life on earth
To you always be glory.
+Steven
Steven, this is great. I wonder though if there is one verse missing as a penultimate. I will think about it, but perhaps it should start ‘He will one day come back again renew the earth and heavens to judge destroyers of the earth/…
I think I agree with Ian Paul:- a)IT’S GREAT! b)would benefit from a bit about the second coming.