Quiet Place

Hard times in the global village, people just cannot get along.
In the cradle of civilization they don't act civilized for long.
And all the kinds and Pharisees, lords of fear and poverty,
Living lives of luxury while in a
Quiet place, a gift is given with unspoken grace, a child is born,
Who can take the sins of the world away.
We need him even more today.

Soldiers of the sovereign nation kick the door down in the night,
Tear the babies from their mothers, send the fathers off to fight.
And in the name of righteousness, they build a hate inside of us,
Inciting and dividing us while in a
Quiet place, a gift is given with unspoken grace, a child is born,
Who can take the sins of the world away.
We need him even more today.
And though good will seems out of reach,
That child's alive inside of each and everyone.
Will these dark ages ever pass?
Will we find a peace that's everlasting?

Now what does it mean if this stuff is bad for our souls-- hate, wars, sending fathers off to fight, living in luxury? What does it mean for the one who was the gift of grace to be the one "Who can take the sins of the world away"?

These words were co-written by Congressman John Hall with Johanna Hall and Jonell. They were written at the eve of the 1991 Gulf War with a sense of remorse that it was taking place. Somehow these words seemed unusual-- that a Democratic congressperson and songwriter would be calling for a Prince of Peace to take our sins away. But then I realize that I've fallen for the stereotype. Maybe the suffering of humanity, and our part in it, is why Christ came.