All Rise

All Rise

by Lindsey Price Jackson

New Haven, CT, USA

All rise, the Eternal Judges enter

God the Parents take Their throne

I tremble, I kneel, I cry at Their Glory

Their might and majesty beam

I hide behind Christ’s robes

I cover my eyes; I can’t speak

My heart aches with shame

They will never accept me

A sinner, a publican

A harlot, and charlatan

I am all of those things;

I should not be here.

But without hesitation,

Christ begins my defense:

Behold, Your Daughter.

And the Gods behold all.

Remember the struggles

She fought her way through

Remember her learning

For which she praised you

Remember how she helped

So many of Your children

Remember how she chose to try

When peaceful times did end

Remember, Mother, Father, please

The price I paid for her,

Remember how I suffered death

That she, too, could return?

We remember, Son

We remember it all.

She battled earth’s hardships

That came from the Fall.

She trusted in you, Son,

As her precious Savior.

For her faith and her works

It is Us who now thank Her.

We love you, dear Daughter

Into Our rest please enter.

But first, stand, and come now,

We’ve waited long to hold you

You’ve finished that life,

You’re redeemed and you’re new.

You let our Son cleanse you,

Now we shall exalt you.