Code Ode 5 – A Christmas Code Ode
Read this: Luke ch 2 v 1-16.
Recite this, out loud.
The Outsiders.
At dead of midnight,
In the dark stillness, deep silence,
Save the odd bleating
Of a sheep,
We, the outsiders,
Distrusted, discounted;
We snatched a fleeting
Hour of sleep.
I was the one awake.
I was the watchman, the first man
Won by the glory
Of that light,
Cutting through darkness
Cross class and society.
Scum tell the story
Of that night;
Perfumed by sheep muck,
Persons unpleasant, us shepherds.
Up pops Joe Angel,
(Like they do!)
We’re all up, terrified;
First thing he says to us,
“ You’re in no danger;
Like, stay cool!”
Says he’s got good news;
Him who’s expected, who’s earmarked;
Rescues the nation,
Born today,
Master of everyone,
Down in the village.
We of low station
Get first say.
After the soloist,
Then comes the chorus; it floors us.
Millions, whole armies
Pack the sky.
‘Singing’s’ too small a word—
Mind blowing, heart wrending.
You’ll think we’re barmy
But we cried.
One giant air-show
Done just for us few, us shepherds,
Lefty and Skin’ead,
Me and Zeke.
While I’m still puzzling,
They say “Let’s suss it and
‘Stead of being tin’eads,
Take a peek.”
Down in the village
In the dark stillness, deep silence,
Save the odd bleating
Of a sheep,
Perfumed by sheep muck,
In with the cattle stuck,
He snatched a fleeting
Hour of sleep.
Down in the village,
In the dark stillness, deep silence,
My eyes grow wider
As I see,
Stuffed in a feeding trough,
Wrapped in old strips of cloth,
Him—an outsider?
Can it be?
There is no doubt that God is shining his light on this movement. Hundreds of men now gather at our events, hungry to be equipped for evangelism and we are hearing stories of many men coming to faith on a regular basis. Please could you support us to help us stand shoulder to shoulder with you?
