Unlimited in time and space
The Word
T ook Jewish flesh in Bethle’m,
When Quirinius governed Syria,
Took Jewish flesh, despised race,
Proud, exclusive.
Could not nobler race be found?
Roman, Greek or Chinese flesh,
Ghanaian, Inca, Indian?
Each race gave birth to lasting cultures
Mighty empires, art and science,
Dawning, rising, falling, ending,
Waves of peoples flooding, ebbing,
Birth and death.
Unlimited in time and space
The Word
Took Jewish flesh in Bethle’m,
Flesh – the scandal!
No-one could receive the Word
Particulared in time and space in flesh!
He came unto His own, His own received Him not,
Took Jewish flesh and died.
Unlimited in time and space
The Word
Took Jewish flesh in Bethle’m,
When Quirinius governed Syria,
Took Jewish flesh in David’s town
Scene of Roman occupation
Witness to the tramp of armies
Warring in the Middle East.
Could place more settled not be found?
Samoan Island, Norway, Sweden
Neutral Switzerland?
So many countries have for generations
Peace enjoyed,
Escaped the threat of war
Developed life and harmony,
Birth and death.
Unlimited in time and space
The Word
Took Jewish flesh in Bethle’m,
Flesh – the scandal!
No-one could receive the Word
Particulared in time and space in flesh!
He held His treasure in an earthen vessel.
Earthen vessel,
Took Jewish flesh and died.
Unlimited in time and space
The Word
Took Jewish flesh in Bethle’m,
When Quirinius governed Syria,
Took Jewish flesh in dirty stable
Cowdung, dust and flies
Source of neonatal tetanus,
Could hygiene not be more respected?
Twentieth century Britain
Offers safeguards in a hospital,
Obstetric skills, epidural block,
Convenience childbirth, ten to five
(except weekends),
And a blood transfusion service,
Perinatal death risks low,
Sanitated birth and death.
Unlimited in time and space
The Word
took Jewish flesh in Bethle’m stable,
Flesh – the scandal!
No-one could receive the Word
Particulared in time and space in flesh!
He shared the risks His own sustain,
He shared their risks,
Took Jewish flesh and died.
Unlimited in time and space
The Word
Took Jewish flesh in Bethle’m,
When Quirinius governed Syria,
Took Jewish flesh, a baby
Born of Galilean maid.
Mother chosen,
Mary.
“This son of yours the chosen light shall be
To all men everywhere and when,
Empires, cultures, countries, lands,
Where the risks are greatest,
Where the conflict sharpest,
Where oppression keenest,
Birth and Death.”
“Be it unto me according to Thy word.”
Unlimited in time and space
The Word
took Jewish flesh in Bethlem,
Flesh – the scandal!
No-one could receive the Word
Particulared in time and space in flesh!
Save she who wombed Him
She whose flesh He shared,
Took Jewish flesh and died.
A poem by the late Rev Doctor (Major) John Michael Wilson M.D., M.R,C.P., D.T.M&H, (1916-1999); pioneer of Pastoral Studies and the modern Hospital Chaplaincy movement, from the recent book of his life and works: 50 Little Ducklings (Reardon Publishing, Cheltenham).