Originally published 05-22-19
Written July 5, 2018
I wrote this on my mission, but never sent it home. It is loosely based on a similar
poem I read of the same title. A note I wrote to myself on the side of my notebook on
that day reads “What can’t Christ heal?”
The Carpenter of Nazareth
The carpenter of Nazareth,
he fixes broken things.
Broken tools and broken toys,
whatever people need.
He takes the broken object
and examines it up close.
He feels the break, studies the crack,
and to his tools he goes.
He gently holds the wood in place
and starts to fix the crack,
‘til piece by piece he’s fixed it up
and gives it gently back.
Many come from Nazareth
to the carpenter to ask
if he could fix their broken thing,
if he was up to such a task.
And always, a smile and a reply
that he would try his best.
No one left denied of his care,
each felt an honored guest.
His Son saw all His father’s works
and when He became old
He also fixed up broken things,
but He fixed broken souls.
And as nails pierced this Master’s palms
into a cross of wood,
He gently took each soul in hand
and did what just He could.
He mends our cracks, He heals our wounds,
He picks up fallen souls.
The Son of Nazareth’s carpenter
came to make us whole
