Christmas Eve hymn: Great, great joy!

“Great, great joy!” the angels sing their song.

“For you is born a Savior holy; yet he rests in manger lowly.”

“Great, great joy!” the angels sing their song.

“Peace on earth,” the heavenly choir sings on,

“For now our God who reigns on high in this child has come down nigh.”

“Peace on earth,” the heavenly choir sings on.

Hope is born, this night in Bethlehem.

The star leads on and calls us ever to One who forsakes us never.

Hope is born, this night in Bethlehem.

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2018 (after liturgy by Anna Traynham)

MUSIC: Tune STILL, STILL, STILL, Austrian Carol

            (“Still, Still, Still”)

Advent hymn: When Isaiah spoke a word

When Isaiah spoke a word of holy grace

Of a child born for the people of his place,

Hope and peace and promise filled that sacred space

At the working of God’s almighty hand.

When the angel Gabriel came to Nazareth town,

Mary’s faith was kindled, God’s great hope to crown;

Joy and peace and promise all came pouring down

Through the working of God’s almighty hand.

When to Bethlehem she came that holy day,

Carrying that child just as our Lord did say,

Love and peace and promise joined her on the way,

For the working of God’s almighty hand.

Let us all give thanks for Who was born that night,

And for Mary’s journey – faith that came to sight,

And that death and darkness all were put to flight

By the working of God’s almighty hand.

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2018 (after liturgy by Anna Traynham)

MUSIC: Tune CRANHAM, Gustav Holst, 1906, adapted

Advent hymn: Rejoice! Always rejoice!

Now the world says to worry and fret all day;

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

But the children of God do not live that way!

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

Refrain: 

Joy! Joy! Rejoice! Always rejoice!

We pray for hope and peace and joy; rejoice! Always rejoice!

“Be afraid! Be afraid!” That’s the noise we hear;

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

But the children of God will not live in fear!

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

Refrain

Now the world says “be happy and laugh and smile!”

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

But the church lives to follow the extra mile.

Rejoice! Always rejoice!

Refrain

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2018 (after liturgy by Anna Traynham)

MUSIC: Tune FOLLOW, African American Spiritual