Author: Alan Gaunt (b. 1935); Venantius Fortunatus (530-609) Hymnal: Ancient and Modern #176 (2013) Meter: 8.8.8.8 Lyrics: 1 As royal banners are unfurled,
the cross displays its mystery:
the Maker of our flesh, in flesh,
impaled and hanging helplessly.
2 Already deeply wounded: see
his side now riven by a spear,
and all our sins are swept away
by blood and water flowing here.
3 See everything the prophets wrote
fulfilled in its totality,
and tell the nations of the world
our God is reigning from the tree.
4 This tree, ablaze with royal light
and with the blood-red robe it wears,
is hallowed and embellished by
the weight of holiness it bears.
5 Stretched like a balance here, his arms
have gauged the price of wickedness;
but, hanging here, his love outweighs
hell's unforgiving bitterness.
6 The Saviour, victim, sacrifice,
is, through his dying, glorified;
his life is overcome by death
and leaps up, sweeping death aside.
7 We hail the cross, faith's one true hope:
God's passion set in time and space,
by which our guilt is blotted out,
engulfed in such stupendous grace. Amen. Topics: Atonement; Church Year Good Friday; Church Year Christ the King; Good Friday; Other Saints and Festivals Holy Cross Day; Prophets; The Fifth Sunday of Lent Year C Scripture: John 19:17-34 Languages: English Tune Title: VEXILLA REGIS
As royal banners are unfurled