He came from out the wilderness of a distant, ancient land
And said to all, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
He wore a leather girdle and a cloth of camel's hair.
And locusts and wild honey were his fare.
A generation of vipers sought to wash their sins away,
The Sadducees and Pharisees, confessing of their evil ways.
But John warned them that repentance was an insufficient start;
Each tree must bring forth fruit from out its heart.
And the Spirit of God would descend upon Christ's head,
The loving of the purest dove, and this is what was said:
"This is my Son, in whom I am well-pleased,
My beloved Son. My beloved Son."
John told of one whose greatness would baptize with Holy Fire.
Then came the Man from Galilee, John's cleansing to desire.
Though John forbade him, saying, "It's to you that I must go,"
Still, Jesus answered, "Suffer it to be so."
"For thus it does become us to fulfill all righteousness."
With these words did the Living Christ present his strange request.
So Jesus by John was baptized, and although the day was dim,
The holy heavens opened unto Him.
And the Spirit of God would descend upon Christ's head,
The loving of the purest dove, and this is what was said:
"This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased,
My beloved Son. My Beloved Son."