The Day of the Lord
Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, before the day
of the Lord comes, the great and terrible day,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and strike the land with doom.
Malachi 3:22-24
O, this is the great and terrible day:
On this blessed day the Lord humbles kings,
This day He crushes princes’ vain yearnings.
Now are the counselors’ traps sprung – to betray
The designers’ desires – themselves to flay.
What – where – is the source of these glad tidings?
In whom the fount of eternal wealth springs?
In a manger Christ breathes, this holy day.
So laugh, you kings and princes, at your folly.
This meek child, held by Mary tenderly,
Is the King of Kings! Every child born is
No more and no less. Every life is His.
Let no one’s frustration be turned to hate.
Come, let us dance and sing and celebrate!