The House of Blessing

By Patience Strong

Out of Egypt God His people brought.

From Judah’s branch came David’s royal race,

But Israel another Canaan sought

And found in Britain her appointed place.

Later, as God’s wondrous plan unrolled

Came Joseph, drawing saints from far and near

With the greatest story ever told.

Christendom was surely cradled here.

Glastonbury! Tor and Chalice Well,

Thorn of Spring that flowers on Christmas Day.

Charm with the enchantment of a spell

That stirs the hearts of all who pass this way.

Here is the Divinely given ground,

The ground, they say, our Saviour walked upon.

Was it His abode that Joseph found

On the lovely Isle of Avalon?

We of British blood and Christian creed

Who claim descent from Abrahamic seed

Come, like Joseph, to this holy place

To build a house of blessing and of grace

Patience Strong (1907-1990) (born Winifred Emma May) was one of Britain’s most famous poets of the 20^th century. She was also well known for her Christian-Israel faith. From 1935-1946 Strong had a poem a day in The Quiet Corner in The Daily Mirror, the British tabloid which is supported by the Labour Party. From 1946 her column was transferred to the Daily Pictorial (later The Sunday Mirror). Strong also wrote poems to the weekly magazine Woman’s Own and to This England. Her lovely and inspiring poems have additionally been printed in books, magazines, wall calendars, greeting cards, place mats, and porcelain ornaments. Patience Strong’s poem Jealousy was recorded by a number of artists, including Hutch, Gracie Fields, Vera Lynn, Richard Tauber, and Billy Fury.

The House of Blessing is a dedicatory poem which was written for the opening of Mount Avalon at Glastonbury.

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