THE PARADE OF THE INNOCENTS

by Mariane Holbrook

One day up in heaven, the music will cease,
The choirs will stop singing their songs,
The angels with harps quickly lay them aside
As God starts to speak to the throngs.

All eyes will be fastened on heaven’s gold throne
To hear what the Lord has to say;
“I have a surprise that you’ll never forget;
“And, dear saints, it will happen today.”

God lifts up his arms, His voice filling the air,
“A special parade has been planned.
No drums will be heard, no trumpets will sound;
The marchers will follow no band.

“Today we will witness a glorious event,
If you’ll look to the right you will see
That the line has been formed; let the march now begin,
It’s a beautiful sight, you’ll agree.”

The saints hold their breath as the marchers appear
Dressed in garments as white as the snow.
“They’re babies! They’re newborns!” a mother calls out,
As the babies smile, faces aglow.

Millions and millions of babies walk by;
The long line seems never to end.
Til one babe steps forth and addresses the throng,
“I can tell that you can’t comprehend.

"We are the babies aborted on earth,
By mothers who chose to be free.
We never were held and we never were loved;
Our bodies thrown out like debris.

"But God who first made us has brought us all Home
And here we will never know shame.
We might not be wanted by mothers on earth
But here God has called us by name!”