Adventures in Hymnwriting Again!

I guess this is sort of an offertory hymn. Mostly I wrote it because I felt I was neglecting the sacrifice angle of the Eucharist. I don't think I really got into that enough, but...I freely admit that I don't understand the theology as much as I should. Sacrifices on altars are just not something my liturgical experience has been aimed at presenting -- and it seems to me that this is the sort of thing that comes across better as a picture or in other nonverbal ways. So this is pretty much groping in the dark. (sigh)

What Can We Give You, God?
Lyrics and Music: Maureen S. O'Brien, 12/28/03

What can we give You, God, when You have everything?
You made the burning stars; You made the sparrow's wing.
You made the grain and grapes, and it's by Your design
That heat exists to bake, or yeast can make juice wine.

We bring these gifts to You, though they're not really ours,
As children of a gard'ner might pick him his flowers.
We know You just want humble, sorry hearts that serve,
But we can't even love You, Lord, as You deserve.

Once You asked Abraham to give You back his son,
But then You stopped his knife before he had begun.
You gave him for his sacrifice a thorn-caught ram;
To us You gave Your only son, a thorn-crowned Lamb.

Who makes such sacrifice, has so much love to give?
You gave Yourself to us, came here to work and live
And teach and heal and feed us, and, for us, You died --
Your gifts can put to shame all of our wealth and pride.

Since there's no fitting gift that we can ever bring,
Please make this bread and wine the Lamb worth offering.
Your flesh and blood's the gift that is the most fitting
To give to You, o God who gave us everything.