We Meet You, O Christ

Representative Text

1 We meet You, O Christ, in many a guise:
Your image we see in simple and wise.
You live in a palace, exist in a shack.
We see You, the gardener, a tree on Your back.

2 In millions alive, away and abroad;
Involved in our life You live down the road.
Imprisoned in systems, You long to be free.
We see You, Lord Jesus, still bearing Your tree.

3 We hear You, O Christ, in agony cry.
For freedom You march, in riots You die.
Your face in the papers we read and we see.
The tree must be planted by human decree.

4 You choose to be made at one with the earth;
The dark of the grave prepares for Your birth.
Your death is Your rising, creative Your word:
The tree springs to life and our hope is restored.

Author: Fred Kaan

Fred Kaan Hymn writer. His hymns include both original work and translations. He sought to address issues of peace and justice. He was born in Haarlem in the Netherlands in July 1929. He was baptised in St Bavo Cathedral but his family did not attend church regularly. He lived through the Nazi occupation, saw three of his grandparents die of starvation, and witnessed his parents deep involvement in the resistance movement. They took in a number of refugees. He became a pacifist and began attending church in his teens. Having become interested in British Congregationalism (later to become the United Reformed Church) through a friendship, he was attended Western College in Bristol. He was ordained in 1955 at the Windsor Road Congregation… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: We meet You, O Christ, in many a guise
Title: We Meet You, O Christ
Author: Fred Kaan (1966)
Meter: 10.10.11.11
Language: English
Copyright: Copyright © 1968 by Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 6 of 6)
Text

Chalice Hymnal #183

TextPage Scan

The Presbyterian Hymnal #311

TextAudio

The United Methodist Hymnal #257

The United Methodist Hymnal Music Supplement II #166

TextPage Scan

Voices United #183

Text

Worship and Rejoice #616

Include 4 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us