Five hymns, from Advent 1 through Christmas Eve, suitable for lighting the candles of the Advent wreath on a typical hope/peace/joy/love cycle. Will gladly send PDFs upon request.
Advent 1: When the world tells us
When the world tells us “all is lost,” God still says “all is loved in me.”
All is loved and all is forgiven; open your eyes, behold and see!
Love! Love! Show us that Christ is coming!
Love! Love! Show us that Christ is near!
When the darkness says “light is gone,” Light reminds us to be surprised:
See the fire igniting before us; see how the dawn invades the skies!
Light! Light! Show us that Christ is coming!
Light! Light! Show us that Christ is near!
Fear says “cover your eyes and ears”; Hope says “listen and watch and wait.”
Stand and watch, redemption is coming; now hope will come and not be late!
Hope! Hope! Show us that Christ is coming!
Hope! Hope! Show us that Christ is near!
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2018
MUSIC: Tune BRING A TORCH, French melody
Advent 2:A voice cries out in the wilderness
A voice cries out in the wilderness: “Prepare the Lord a way!”
A voice calls out of our loneliness for night to break into day.
We cry that wars and violence and rank injustice cease:
We pray the holy peace of God; come now, O Prince of Peace.
A choir sings into the silent night, “O come, Emmanuel!”
The song breaks into our darkened hearts, our frightened voices now swell.
We cry for healing and for hope, for broken souls’ release:
We pray the holy peace of God; come now, O Prince of Peace.
O every valley shall be filled up, and every heart elate;
For peace is stronger than violence, and love is louder than hate.
We cry for joy and yearn for love and grace now to increase:
We pray the holy peace of God; come now, O Prince of Peace.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, 2018
MUSIC: Tune CAROL, Richard Storrs Willis, 1850.
Advent 3: Rejoice! Always rejoice! (Now the world says to worry)
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, 2018
MUSIC: Tune FOLLOW, African American Spiritual
Advent 4: 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, 2018
MUSIC: Tune CRANHAM, Gustav Holst, 1906, adapted
Christmas Eve: Hope is born
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.
“Peace on earth,” a heavenly choir sings on,
“For now our God who reigns on high in this child has come down nigh.”
“Peace on earth,” a heavenly choir sings on.
“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.
Love has come; our life is now made new;
For like a candle breaks the night, this child comes as sacred light.
Love has come; our life is now made new.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, revised August 2020
MUSIC: Tune STILL, STILL, STILL, Austrian Carol
