He walked alone where the Eucalyptus grew,
The purple sky of evening sometimes over his head,
The wilderness around was the home he knew,
The grass on which he lay his only bed.
The birds and small creatures were the companions he loved,
With great conviction proclaimed the way to prepare.
Of one who would come from God to the world,
His only task to baptise and repentance share.
The people who came knew his words so well,
Could see his eyes and face aflame with care for all,
Here was no magician or charlatan they could tell,
But a Prophet with a message they could not ignore.
They came in their hundreds to the River Jordan and there
John welcomed them to God’s Kingdom in the Baptism so new,
He poured water on their heads and with his words and prayer
Made them, by the Holy Spirit, Christians strong and true.
We also follow in that blessed throng,
Each time that one of us is christened at the Font,
Our promises we give in prayer and song,
Those made for us, and renewal at close of Lent.
St John the Baptist, your voice is calling still,
For us to let you pour your Benediction pure,
To lead us on to do our Saviour’s will
And for you to be our Guardian ever sure.
Rosemary Goulding
