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.
Sunrise / All Creation Waits
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let all creation greet the dawn
And praise the Lord who created
Brother sun to open our eyes
For all of us would be blind
If not for the light of our Lord
If not for the light of our Lord
All creation waits in the morning
All creation waits for the sons of the Lord
For the Lord will pour forth His Spirit
To bring forth the daughters and the sons of the Lord
The flowers bloom and the waters will be flowing
The rocks will shout and the birds will sing to the Lord
Then all the world will sing in jubilation
Brother sun will shine in the light of the Lord
Then all the world will sing in jubilation
Brother sun will shine in the light of the Lord
Will shine in the light of the Lord
Will shine in the light of the Lord
Sunrise in the morning
Let all creation greet the new dawn
The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's "Sunrise / All Creation Waits" is a beautiful proclamation of the beauty of God's creation and its connection to the divine. The song begins with the imagery of the sunrise, where all of creation is called to praise the Lord who created the sun that gives light to the world. The song emphasizes the importance of this light, noting that without it, we would all be blind.
The song also speaks of the anticipation of creation for the coming of the Lord, waiting for the pouring forth of the Spirit to bring forth the sons and daughters of God. The beauty of God's creation is highlighted through the blooming flowers, flowing waters, singing birds, and shouting rocks.
The song concludes with the world coming together in jubilation, singing in praise of the Lord as brother sun shines in the light of the Lord. The lyrics ultimately remind us of the majesty and power of God as we see His wonder in the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunrise in the morning
The beginning of a new day, symbolized by the rising sun
Let all creation greet the dawn
All living creatures should acknowledge and accept the start of a new day
And praise the Lord who created
To honor and give thanks to God who brought forth everything into existence
Brother sun to open our eyes
The sun, a symbol of light and knowledge, illuminates our vision and perception
For all of us would be blind
Without the light, we would be in a state of darkness and ignorance
If not for the light of our Lord
God's light is the source of our understanding and enlightenment
All creation waits in the morning
All nature is expectant and eager for the new day
All creation waits for the sons of the Lord
All creatures have an inherent longing for the children of God
For the Lord will pour forth His Spirit
God will send His Holy Spirit as a sign of His presence and guidance
To bring forth the daughters and the sons of the Lord
To bring forth humanity, whom God loves and cherishes
The flowers bloom and the waters will be flowing
Nature responds to the new day with growth and renewal
The rocks will shout and the birds will sing to the Lord
All creation will express its gratitude and joy to God in their own unique ways
Then all the world will sing in jubilation
The whole universe will be filled with exultation and mirth
Brother sun will shine in the light of the Lord
The sun, which represents God's glory and radiance, will shine and fill the earth
Contributed by Muhammad B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.