Behold Our King

Nov 12, 2016

His feet are clay.

As has ever been true of kings.

Some might say there is nothing in this to grieve. Nothing to cause fear. Certainly no reason for surprise.

What was true of Daniel’s king, was true of David, and true of Solomon, too. Has, in fact, been true of every man or woman to whom we have bowed or pledged our allegiance.

 

But I have heard the bitter weeping of the envoys of peace, and I am not satisfied with explanations or arguments or platitudes.

I go on dreaming. I go on singing. I go on telling tales of a better king.

This king “will take pity on the weak and the needy.”

This king will “defend the afflicted among the people.”

This king will “will be like showers watering the earth.”

 

My eyes have seen the king in his beauty.

I have glimpsed a land that stretches afar.

It is a peaceful abode and a place of broad rivers and streams.

No galley with oars rides them. In this place, even the lame carry off plunder.

Because the loaves and fishes are ever being broken and passed on, they multiply. Because the jar of oil is always being emptied, that jar is never dry. There is more than enough for me and my neighbor.

There is even enough for my enemy.

 

This is the song I sing, yet I cannot always be singing.

When I pause my song, when I wake, or when my story reaches its end, I weep.

I weep because the king we hold in our hands falls so very short of the king who ever walks on the edge of my dreams.

I sit by the river, and I weep when I remember all that I have seen. I weep when I remember the prayer of generations:

Thy kingdom come … on earth as it is in heaven.

 

A Land That Stretches Afar

 

*my own song is inspired by Psalm 72, Psalm 137, and Isaiah 33

11 Comments

  1. Susan Mulder

    I saw a Native American speaker once and he told the story of how his father never said amen just once, it was always three or more times. When asked why, his father relplied that repetition acknowledges the gravitas and invites incarnation. To your words I say Amen. Amen. Amen.

    Reply
    • Christie Purifoy

      Thank you, Susan. I’ll remember this story. I’m so glad you shared it.

      Reply
  2. Jill Wondel

    Thank you. My peacemaking heart is a little broken these days. Good to remember the Prince of Peace is near.

    Reply
  3. I know your parents, Christie, from long ago Navigator days. JoAnne Graham

    I too echo your heart’s yearning…and hope – these days. He alone is the very King of Kings….and “…His kingdom [only] shall reign forever.” Amen and Amen.

    Reply
    • Christie Purifoy

      JoAnne, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! Praying we can both keep our eyes fixed on that King no matter what this day brings.

      Reply
  4. kchripczuk

    This is lovely, Christie. And so appropriate as we head toward advent and refocus on the one who came and who comes in and through us always. I may use this (with attribution) at a pre-advent retreat I’m leading this weekend. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Christie Purifoy

      Thank you, Kelly! I hope you will. You won’t be surprised to hear that I (who never turn on the Advent music till after Thanksgiving) am already listening to my favorite Advent playlists. Feels like Advent is beginning early this year.

      Reply
  5. Christina

    I’d love to know what is playing on your early advent playlist! I enjoy your writings so much, I’d love to know what influences you musically!

    Reply
    • Christie Purifoy

      Great question, Christina! I have so many favorites, but I do always return, year after year, to the Christmas/Advent music of Sufjan Stevens. I also like the Advent albums by Future of Forestry and Sleeping at Last.

      Reply

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