A Hymn for Father's Day

Murdoch MacKenzie

Murdoch is a member of the Iona Community and lives in retirement in Argyll. He has worked in India and is still involved in a variety of ways in the ecumenical movement.

(Tune: Bunessan)

Child in the manger,*
friend of the stranger,
mothered by Mary,
conceived by God.
Part of a family,
loving and holy,
how we adore you
Jesus, our Lord.

Suckled by Mary,
nurtured by Joseph,
learning his trade with
hammer and wood.
Taught by his father
to make yokes easy,
as a good joiner
certainly should.

Today we thank you
for our own fathers,
who with our mothers
teach us your ways;
loving and guiding,
always providing,
hoping and praying,
singing your praise.

Thus may we honour
father and mother,
those you have given
for us to love.
May they be treasured,
gratefully cared for
while our life’s measured
by God above.                                                            

Murdoch MacKenzie

* Child in the manger’ is the first line of a hymn by Mary Macdonald, translated by Lachlan MacBean.