A Christmas Carol

By -


Oh blessed of days that did break! 
When God appeared in form of man, 
To suffer worldly scorn for love’s sake
How shall we celebrate your breaking?  
He left lofty throne and palace above, 
To wear our very human frailty, 
And bear the pains of abject penury; 
That He may cheer a gloomy world. 


How shall we celebrate Your Name? 
Oh creator God turned creature, 
To bear the affliction of Your creation, 
Rejected, despised and reviled by same; 
And yet turn not from bitter cup to drink 
Nor bid Your just vengeance to rise, 
But looking through Mercy’s eyes, 
Did forgive all with bountiful love. 


Clap for joy all you verdant creation.
Mosses and giant oaks, sway in dance!
He who in brilliant green did cloak you,
In humble form comes to play in your shade,
And your perishable fruit with relish to eat.
Sing out you sullied streams of the land!
Who with crystal clear waters filled you,
Comes now to wash and cleanse you again. 


Rejoice you peoples of the earth!
For He who did form you of clay,
And roused you with His own breath,
Has your own lowly form this day taken,
Humbling Himself even to be born;
That from depravity and death
He may deliver your very souls,
And set your feet on the right path.


Rejoice now you children of the world!
Hail salvation’s happy morn!
For unto you a child is born.
Sing out you that wait for your Lord!
Your watch has not been in vain;
For unto the world a son is given.
The Godhead infant hasten all to adore,
The only begotten son, Awonboniti[1]. 


25/12/19

[1] Name of Emmanuel in the Buli Language

Comments

Post a Comment

Recent Posts

Buli Series 1 - Introduction with Alphabets and Basic Sounds

By -
Image
Buli is the language of the Bulsa ethnic group in the Upper East and North East regions of Ghana. The name Bulsa is also spelt in official documents and elsewhere as Builsa but this author and many others believe that spelling to be quite incorrect.    With regards to this series, let me say from the outset that I am not a language expert. This series is not a study of the origin of the language or its syntax or any of all those things that help people to learn a language in detail. In effect, therefore, considering my lack of training in language or linguistics, this endeavour may be described as a headstrong attempt (in the Buli Language;  zupagruk tuima) .    My  zupagruk , however, comes from the motivation that it can be the force that would propel the more qualified ones to come out with the best material that can help us read and write Buli well. This is, therefore, more of a kindergarten introduction to the language.   If you have no background in the language, it may n
Read more

The Emperor's New Clothes

By -
Image
“God chooses things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise and chooses what is weak in the world to shame the strong” - 1Cor1:27 (my translation).   I visited a library for the first time in my life when I was 13 and in J. H. S 1. Then, my small stature coupled with the fact that I was new and not very confident restricted me to the children's section all through my adolescent years and even beyond. Nevertheless, I was really enjoying the stories in that section. My favourite story was;  "The Emperor's New Clothes ” by the Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen. I do not know exactly why it was my favourite then. Perhaps because it was so hilarious (the thought of a king walking down the street naked). Today, I remember it and love it not because it is so hilarious (for it is no longer so to me) but because it speaks volumes about society. I have come to learn a lesson from it that I can’t forget. The Pl
Read more

Halting Words for Nab Azantilow Ayieta IV

By -
Image
Photo Credit: Franz Kröger All over the land of Buluk, over hills and fields  Where long grass grows and stout trees thrive   The trade wind comes racing, swelling about the trees   What news from the north, Oh hurrying wind?   What tidings do you bear in your dusty breeze?   Have you seen Azantilow the tall and mighty   By sun, moon or by starlight bright?   Where now is he, the bold, the ancient, the brave?   Maybe you have heard the horn of the son of  Ayieta.   Echoing in the hills and vales of the land Upon azagsuk , long I stood and listened Under the shade of acham I tarried in vain Tell me not that he is no more! But alas, his horn is silent, and his feet are cold The north wind is still, impotent with tears                             Read:  Village Boy Impressions - The Song of Atuga Towards akumcham ever shall I gaze There our foes fled in dismay Before its dying stump, ever I sigh Under its withered crown ever I wait, O, Ayieta b
Read more

Buli Series 10: The Parts of the Body (Nyingka Kabtinga)

By -
Image
Hello folks, I hope you have not given up trying to learn your beloved language Buli. It is one of those things that we cannot afford to turn our backs on and I encourage you all to keep trying.  A couple of days ago, I got a call from a young man who had found this blog whilst searching for information on the Buli language online. He wanted the Buli equivalents of the names of the parts of the human body and a couple of other domestic articles and animals for educational purposes. It seems that teaching children to name the parts of the body is becoming a norm in early childhood education and that young man is only one of many others who have called me from the University of Education, Winneba at one time or the other to ask for the Buli Language equivalent of many everyday things: numbers, domestic and wild animals, agricultural activities, family relations and the like. I have often prepared such things for my callers privately but I have now realised that I could reach a larger aud
Read more