An adaptation of 'God bless us and disturb us'

Some years ago, I came across the Wild Goose Adaptations of Christmas Carols. Once I heard and sang their lyrics, full of social justice connected to traditional spiritual expression, my attitude to Christmas changed. I became less sentimental and more urgent about the Gospel message. This adaptation of John Bell's version of 'God rest you merry gentlemen' has come many years later, as I see the opportunity to connect the timeless story of the birth of the Saviour with the present needs of the world in 2024...

 

God bless us and disturb us as we celebrate the feast

when he who ranked the highest come to earth to be the least.

Lest we consign to Satan’s power 

those who still have no peace

O come, Christ the Saviour from below, from above

and infect the depths of earth with heavenly love!

When Palestinian people long for place to sleep at night

Will refugees be welcome and supported in their plight?

Where war-machines refrain from taking funds 

to build their might:

O come, Christ the Saviour from below, from above

and infect the depths of earth with heaven’y love!

While traffickers of people steal their innocents for gain,

When civil wars and revolutions come with untold pain,

Where hope lies in a drink, a shot 

and life runs down the drain

O come, Christ the Saviour from below, from above

and infect the depths of earth with heaven’y love!

In Bethlehem, Johannesburg, London and Singapore

the star is needed now as much as ever from before

We celebrate Emmanuel – God come, fulfill the Law

O come, Christ the Saviour from below, from above

and infect the depths of earth with heaven’y love!