By Ward Shope

Eden’s garden, Designer fashioned
Fertile earth, painless birth
Human freedom, love impassioned

Tree of life, taste forbidden,
Serpent snared, sin aware
Human slavery, now guilt-ridden

Futile toil, hunger ne’er sated
Violent heart, God hater
Human striving grows ill-fated

Promise given, offspring yearning
Sabbath rest, peacefulness
Human longings deeper stirring

Brilliant angel, good news choir
Bethlehem, cattle pen
Human baby, gospel Sire

Tree of death, nailed sin-Bearer
Sin redressed, not oppressed
Human Savior raised crown-Wearer

City glory, Savior fashioned
Trees of life, joy is rife
Human freedom, Love impassioned!