Not two weeks from the altar, now a new one to come

The words shook our plans, the phone calls to share

Now waiting beside her, the labor intense

Hold hands, and breath a prayer.

In pieces of cloth, they wrapped her up tight

They cleaned up her body, they wiped off her face

and laid her in my arms, a beautiful baby

secure and cared for, what a gift of grace.

Our first Christmas together, decorated in gold

A tree by the mantle, a fire blazing bright

Six months and showing, a glow on her face

The creche spread on cotton so light.

In pieces of cloth, we wrapped him up tight

Small terra cotta and painted face

we laid him in the manger, a beautiful baby

Resting while shepherds and creatures look on

secure and cared for, what a gift of grace.

It’s Easter Sunday morning, dogwoods fill the air

A childhood perfume of Resurrection Days

She’s all dressed in white, with a bonnet on her head

A father’s quiet prayer of surrender.

We raise to let them go, hold on to give away.

To send out in the world, to send to the nations.

And when the moment comes around, to watch them walk away

We are most like our Father who gave His all.

In pieces of cloth, they wrapped him up tight

They cleaned up his body, they wiped off his face

and laid him in the grave, what a beautiful Savior.

secure and cared for, what a gift of grace.

He cast off the grave clothes, overpowering light

And threw back the stone, the conquering  Word.

The resurrection power pushed darkness to the ground.

Victorious champion, the reigning Lord.

He was born for sacrifice, to give His life away.

He was sent into the world, to send us to the nations.

And when the moment comes around, to go or to stay,

We are most like our Father, our broken heart for the world.