Emmanuel, God with us,
Saviour to captives and prisoners everywhere,
at this celebration of your birth
be with each lonely soul
exiled behind bars.
Emmanuel, God with us,
Saviour to prison guards and wardens everywhere,
at this celebration of your birth
protect those with power
from temptations of tyranny.
Emmanuel, God with us,
Saviour to families and friends of prisoners,
at this celebration of your birth
cheer spirits with your advent
in the darkness of every jail.
Emmanuel, God with us,
Key of David, who can unlock any door,
may we celebrate your birth
finding you again
in every lowly prison cell.
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.