Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
Advent Suite
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you believe it will take you away?
There will be living where once there was death
There will be new life in Jesus
Can you believe there is charity coming?
The only law now that we′ve come to obey
There will be living where once there was death
Can you believe that the eagle will fly with the dove?
Can you believe there's a rose in the raised fisted glove?
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia
Alleluia
Hear, O Israel
Your Saviour is born to a young virgin child
Hear, O Israel
All of mankind can be born in Him
All of mankind can be born in Him
And Mary, Israel′s child
Born in the grace of the mighty Lord
Mary, the young virgin child
To be the mother of our Saviour
To be the mother of Jesus
And we'll walk on the water with Him
Messiah come surely and we will begin
To walk on the water with Him
We will be with Him
As the Father is with Him
As the Spirit is with Him
And meekly, lowly He'll come
Is born to the world in a stable
Come to the shepherds, come to the poor
He is surely exalted as our King of kings
Surely exalted as our King of kings
And He will show forth the strength of His arm
He will scatter the proud in their own conceit
He will cast down the kings from their thrones
And lift up the meek and the lowly
Lift up the meek and the lowly
And we′ll walk on the water with Him
Messiah come surely and we will begin
To walk on the water with Him
We will be with Him
As the Father is with Him
As the Spirit is with Him
O, He has come
Messiah has come
Messiah has come
Can you believe in the miracle coming?
Can you believe it will take you away?
There will be living where once there was death
There will be living in Jesus
John Michael Talbot's Advent Suite is an ode to the hope, faith, and renewal that come with the birth of Jesus Christ. The lyrics are filled with Christian imagery and ask the listener to believe in the power of the miracle about to happen. The song captures the essence of the Advent season, which is the period of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.
The lyrics begin with a call to believe in the miracle of the birth of Jesus Christ. The singer asks the listener if they can believe that this miracle will take them away from their old lives, and bring new life in Jesus. The next verse speaks of charity, which is the only law that we must obey now that Jesus has come. The line, "There will be living where once there was death," speaks to the transformative power of belief in Jesus Christ. The bridge brings in the imagery of an eagle flying with a dove and a rose in a raised fisted glove, all symbols of peace and love.
The chorus proclaims "Alleluia" four times and calls on Israel to hear the news of the birth of the Saviour to a young virgin child. The song highlights the humble birth of Jesus Christ, born in a stable to be the mother of our Saviour. The final verses of the song speak of the strength of Jesus and how he will lift up the meek and lowly, casting down the proud kings from their thrones. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "Messiah has come" calling on the listener to believe in the miracle of Jesus' birth.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you believe in the miracle coming?
Is it possible for you to believe in the coming miracle?
Can you believe it will take you away?
Is it possible for you to believe that it will carry you away?
There will be living where once there was death
Life will replace death
There will be new life in Jesus
Jesus will bring new life
Can you believe there is charity coming?
Do you believe that there is compassion coming?
The only law now that we′ve come to obey
We are now only bound by the law of love
Can you believe that the eagle will fly with the dove?
Do you believe that things that seem incompatible will coexist?
Can you believe there's a rose in the raised fisted glove?
Do you believe that there is something beautiful amidst what is seemingly violent and oppressive?
Hear, O Israel
Listen, people of Israel
Your Saviour is born to a young virgin child
Your Savior was born of a virgin child
All of mankind can be born in Him
All people can be born again in Him
And Mary, Israel′s child
Mary, who is from Israel
Born in the grace of the mighty Lord
Born through God's grace
Mary, the young virgin child
Mary, who is a young virgin
To be the mother of our Saviour
To give birth to our Savior
And we'll walk on the water with Him
We will have a close relationship with Jesus
Messiah come surely and we will begin
When the Messiah comes, we will start anew
As the Father is with Him
Just as God the Father is with Him
As the Spirit is with Him
Just as the Holy Spirit is with Him
And meekly, lowly He'll come
He will come humbly
Is born to the world in a stable
He was born into the world in a stable
He is surely exalted as our King of kings
He is undoubtedly elevated to the position of King of all kings
And He will show forth the strength of His arm
He will demonstrate the power of His might
He will scatter the proud in their own conceit
He will cause the arrogant to scatter in their own foolishness
He will cast down the kings from their thrones
He will dethrone the rulers from their positions of power
And lift up the meek and the lowly
He will exalt the humble and lowly
Messiah has come
The Messiah has arrived
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by John V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.