An Easter Carol

[Mk 16]

ad majoram Dei gloriam

A morning cold, a world gone gray;
Three shadows in the dawning day
Drew near his grave with one accord;
"We shall anoint our dear dead Lord."

We tell this tale and fail to see
The depth of love and bravery
That brought them to this bitter place,
Despite their fear and His disgrace.

Criminal nailed to a tree,
Hoisted aloft at Calvary,
Left there to die alone, in shame;
But still their Lord. To Him they came.

And there the growing light revealed
A mystery. The stone that sealed
The sepulchre was rolled away;
His grave stood open to the day.

Then, braver still, they ventured in,
More mystery to find within;
There sat a stranger, clothed in white
Who spoke to them: "Take thee no fright;

He, whom thou seekest, is not here;
Put off thy mourning, take good cheer.
Vacant the place where once He lay;
He lives again this Sabbath Day.

Tell His disciples they shall see
Their Lord once more in Galilee."
Trembling, they fled a truth so vast
They feared to speak of what had passed.

But then to each again He came;
With gentleness He called each name,
Until they knew with certainty
He who had died stood risen, free.

Two thousand years and more beside,
It is another Eastertide;
While darkness mocks, the quiet brave
Remember still that empty grave.

Through death He strode; for us He came.
He hath no need of gold or fame.
With naught but our own souls to bring,
We reverence the Risen King.

-- Stormchild, 23 March 2008