O Light of Men

Into Adam's race You crept,

Secret many ages kept--

You, the fount, the living spout

Man could never figure out.

On the scene of souls' despair--

Cursed creation, lurker's lair--

Here You lived, and lived again,

Spirit-sired, O Light of Men!

Sirens silent, beacons black,

Loathing to admit our lack,

Parents of pathetic choice, 

Lost in spite of Sinai's voice,

Molding, with no straw supplied,

Bricks to build a hopeless pride,

Broken by the broken Ten,

Lived by You, O Light of Men!

Reason dark, emotions bland,

Wills enslaved by duties damned,

Ev'ry impulse aimed within,

No alternative but sin,

Self-deceived and running blind,

Never could we frame or find

Homes to house our crippled ken

'Til You shone, O Light of Men

Those who should have loved You most

Trifled with creation's Host.

Only those with naught to lose

Clearly heard Your simple truths.

Paltry few would break away

From the "wisdom" of their day.

So we rarely love You when

Others mock, O Light of Men.

Not in worthy words alone,

Nor in signs You glory shone,

But especially Your life,

Calmly lived amid our strife,

Ev'ry thought and action planned

By Your Father's kind command,

Signed Your scroll with sacred pen,

Spotless Lamb, O Light of Men!

Anger, hatred, dread and doubt

All conspired to snuff You out.

Lifeless Lantern on a cross,

Stifled signal... O what loss!

Had Your glory proved untrue,

No god would have rescued You...

But our Sun blazed forth again!

You arose, O Light of Men!

To our souls now, evermore,

You present an open door.

In our hearts You now create

Lamps Your love to radiate.

From our wild, benighted minds,

You at last remove the blinds.

Useless eyes now see again,

Touched by You, O Light of Men!

Eyes of faith now clearly see,

As I trust Your will for me.

All I seek, my spirit knows,

Hid, in You, from fleshly woes,

Trained for each ascending stage

By Your Spirit's holy page,

Joining soon, with glad "Amen!"

Your bright host, O Light of Men!

MNA

October, 1994