Almost the Time

The stable is quiet, the shepherds are gone
The wise men have all departed.
Joseph is packing their things for the road
When suddenly Mary feels grief in her heart.

She clutches the babe, stares out at the night,
She shivers but not from the cold air.
Tenderly Joseph asks what’s she’s seen.
With tears in her eyes, this vision is told:

“I see a time
When a red-headed man
Approaches my son who is grown.
Kneels by his side,
Kisses his cheek.
Then smiling, he leaves him alone.

I see a time,
My son is in pain,
Broken and asking God, ‘Why?’
A red-headed man
Betrayed him and fled,
Left him alone there to die.”

The garden is quiet, the soldiers are gone,
The cocks crowing morning has ended.
Peter picks up the sword he had drawn,
Determined to death his Lord to defend.

He vows to the heavens that vengeance will be
Enacted swift on the traitor.
Judas be damned for eternity
He swears in a voice that is trembling with hate:

“There’ll come a time
When a red-headed man
Approaches my Lord on His throne.
Crawls on his knees,
Begs for his soul
But mercy can never be shown.

Not for all time
To the traitor who lied,
Sold him for silver and fled.
The red-headed man
Must pay for his crime,
Pay with the flames burning red.”

All Heaven’s in riot, the bells and the horns
Are leading triumphant Hosannahs!
The End of All Time has finally come,
The saint and the sinner are joined in the band.

Mary and Peter look ‘round for the Lord,
But Jesus has quietly passed them.
Down by the Gate, they find him alone,
With grace in his eyes, keeping watch for the last.

“Almost the time
When a red-headed man
Comes in from the cold and abyss.
He’ll see that I,
I welcome him here,
Offer him freedom and bliss.

You who were true,
You must welcome him, too
Offer him all that you own.
I’ve given mine,
Now the red-headed man
Can finally come to my home.

I’ve given mine,
Now there’s nothing to do
But finally welcome him home.”