O City of Love

But you, O city of love,

with people who have lost identities

from you shall come forth for us,

the truth that sets you and me free

But you, O city of love,

marred with violence and oppression

from you shall come forth for us,

rivers of peace and restoration

But you, O city of love,

an agony to the refugee

from you shall come forth for us,

dwelling places of community

But you, O city of love,

with palaces for the wealthy

from you shall come forth for us,

landscapes of equality

But you, O city of love,

Yet the most unsafe place for women

from you shall come forth for us,

a return to innocence

But you, O city of love,

where people have gone astray from God

from you shall come forth for us,

kings and queens surrendered to the Lord

But you, O city of love,

where the battle has begun

from you shall come forth for us,

a victory for justice through steadfast faith

But you, O city of love,

where the environment is barren and dry

from you shall come forth for us,

metamorphosis in nature, reclaiming its space

Just like you, O city of love,  

Amidst a troubled time such as yours,  

Was born the Son of God,

Destined for something greater

Through Him, the past connects to the future 

He, the Ruler, whose mighty hand will save us

Christ the Lord, born the least, in a manager 

Whose second coming we eagerly await,

O city of love, from the coldness,

walk into the warmth of the Son…

Nilasha