All the streets are filled with laughter and light
And the music of the season
And the merchants’ windows are all bright
With the faces of the children
And the families hurrying to their homes
As the sky darkens and freezes
Will be gathering around their hearths and tables
Giving thanks for God’s graces
And the birth of the rebel Jesus

And they call Him by the “Prince Of Peace”
And they call Him by “The Saviour”
And they pray to Him upon the seas
And in every bold endeavour
And they fill His churches with their pride and gold
As their faith in Him increases
But they’ve turned the nature that I worship in
From a temple to a robber’s den
In the words of the rebel Jesus

We guard our world with locks and guns
And we guard our fine possessions
And once a year when Christmas comes
We give to our relations
And perhaps we give a little to the poor
If the generosity should seize us
But if anyone of us should interfere
In the business of why there are poor
They get the same as the rebel Jesus

But pardon me if I have seemed
To take the tone of judgement
For I’ve no wish to come between
This day and your enjoyment
In a life of hardship and of earthly toil
There’s a need for anything that frees us
So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer
From a heathen and a pagan
On the side of the rebel Jesus

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Songwriters: Jackson Browne (1990)
The Rebel Jesus lyrics © Swallow Turn Music

Bonus song for Advent & Christmas Day reflections 2024. In contrast to the 25 carols posted during Advent, this song has not been altered.

The Rebel Jesus touches on current affairs with reference to economic inequality and poverty, social justice and inequality, and a critique of religious institutions while incorporating biblical references by or about Jesus (Matthew 21:12-13, Luke 4:18, Matthew 25:40, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22, Matthew 5:3, John 2:15).

The hope of this Advent and Christmas project has been to reflect on the division and suffering we find in the world and to seek a message of peace, justice, hope and reconciliation that reflects Jesus’ mission in the world. I pray that we are challenged, changed, and become more Christ-like in our rebellion.