etcetera:

by Noah Bartley

Eirene – From the perspective of Zechariah in Luke 1:67-79

At last my tongue is free to bless my God!

Be blessed, for you have given us this child,

Uncovering the path that he will trod;

New ways no former prophet’s gone, the wild

Divine design of Yahweh Adonai.

Amid the long-drawn silence John was born.

Now natal cries proclaim the Kingdom’s nigh,

That God has come to raise His saving horn.

Shalom is here, my son, and you must pave

Highways for Heaven’s feet to wander far

And wide, o’er hill and valley, cove 

and cave, 

Lighting the sin-dimmed world with Morning’s Star.

Our God has come to bring a sweet release.

Messiah, guide our feet to paths of peace!