I’d like to tell you ‘bout my life,
There’s much that you should know.
I’ll start at the beginning 'cause
It was so long ago.

The first things I remember were
The feel of swaddling clothes,
And smells of straw and animals
That filled my tiny nose.

You see when mom gave birth to me,
I came a little soon.
For we had traveled far that night,
But inns were without room.

So in a stable I was born
And that was fine with me.
For those that came to be with us,
Were humble as could be.

And as I grew I learned so much,
My dad taught what he could.
He taught me skills in carpentry
And how to work with wood.

And at a very tender age
My Father taught me more.
He taught me what my calling was
And what this life is for.

I learned the scriptures very well.
He taught me how to teach,
And then to mom and dad’s surprise
At 12 they saw me preach.

They asked me what I did that day
And why I stayed behind?
I’m just about my Father’s work,
Were words that came to mind.

Then later in the wilderness
When I was fully-grown,
My Father taught me all I’d need.
My mission’s seeds were sewn.

And then I had completed all
And then my brother Satan came
To tempt and threaten me.
He wanted me to worship him
But through him I could see

My Ministry began that day
With simple truths I taught,
While Satan found he lost that day;
His plans had come to naught.

Then on my mission I did go,
But first I chose some men.
The twelve apostles they were called
With them, I would begin.

They followed and they learned from me
The messages I brought.
So with their help and with God’s love,
The Gospel plan was taught.

I tried to teach the principles
That Father gave to me.
And taught by using parables
So all could plainly see.

I healed the sick and raised the dead
In hopes they would believe,
And showed them the forgiveness that
They had not yet conceived.

And after years of teaching them
With miracles and more,
I went down to Gethsemane
Where anguish was in store.

My followers that came with me
Could not participate.
I stopped them and went on alone
And so fulfilled my fate.

I hope you never know as I
The anguish that I felt.
Because I suffered this for you
I bled there, as I knelt.

Then later the betrayer came
And kissed me on the cheek.
He gave me to the soldiers that
For me they’d come to seek.

And then they scourged me with a whip
With thorns, they crowned my head.
But I was given strength from God
My spirit had been fed.

And then I had completed all
Then as the night turned into day
My friends thought they had failed.
They saw I was upon a cross
My hands and feet were nailed.

And though my body quaked with pain
My life was now complete,
For I had done the Father’s will
There had been no retreat.

And on that day I shed a tear
For those that couldn’t see,
The value and the purpose of
The one nailed to the tree.

And then to He who gave me life
My spirit then returned.
For those that mourned me on that day
I was somewhat concerned.

And then as prophesy foretold,
From there within the tomb,
My spirit joined my body like
Before in mother’s womb.

Then as a resurrected man
The third day I arose.
I showed myself to those I loved
And others that I chose.

And then I had completed all
The work I’d come to do.
At last the chains of death were broke
And this I did for you.

There’s much more to my story and
I hope I planted seed.
A seed that grows within your heart
With scriptures that you read.

Now there’s one thing I’ve left to say
Through spirit like the dove.
My life, I lived for all of you
And this, because of love.

© James O’Brien
June 2002