What child is this, additional verses

What child is this, on temple ground, in mother’s arms appearing

Amidst the faithful, crowding throng, both humble and God-fearing?

This, this is Christ the King, whose birth first saw the angels sing; 

See, see the law fulfilled for this, the son of Mary!

 

Why does this man, long-waiting here, now hail this child with wonder?

Why sing of promises fulfilled, but also torn asunder?

“Woe, woe shall come to you – a sword shall pierce your own soul, too!”

All, all o’er one small babe, o’er this, the son of Mary!

 

Now sings this woman, faithful sage, to all within her hearing, 

How this child brings redemption; how the rule of God is nearing.

Hope, hope has now drawn near in spite of hardship, hate, and fear; 

Joy, joy, for Christ has come in this, the son of Mary!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2020, after Luke 2:22-40 (Christmas 1B)

MUSIC: English ballad, 16^th cent.; arr. Christmas Carols New and Old, 1871

 

 

Three verses appropriate for the account in Luke 2:22-40, for the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, featured in the RCL on the Sunday after Christmas, year B.

We sing to God

We sing to God; we sing our thanks and praises.

Honor and reverence to our Lord we bring.

Yet too we sing our suffering and longing; 

We lift our voice to God in every thing.

In Christ redeemed, by Holy Spirit strengthened,

In all our worship to our God we sing.

We sing for God; we join the endless chorus 

Of all who learn by heart the holy song: 

The cloud of witnesses, the host of heaven,

Lifting their voices through the ages long.

In Christ redeemed, by Holy Spirit strengthened,

In holy union for our God we sing.

 

We sing of God; our chorus bears our witness. 

We show God’s goodness in our songful play.

In song from every corner of creation,

We witness to the truth, the life, the way.

In Christ redeemed, by Holy Spirit strengthened,

To this world’s yearning, of our God we sing.

 

We sing with God; the Singer of creation

Leads in the song we join with boundless glee:

The song of ages, new and yet eternal,

Of all that was, and is, and is to be.

In Christ redeemed, by Holy Spirit strengthened,

Now and forever, with our God we sing.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2020

MUSIC: Tune FINLANDIA, Jean Sibelius, 1899.

 

 

Truthfully, I can’t say where this one came from. Frankly I’ve been quite blocked in every kind of writing of late (I can’t even write a postcard without fighting through existential angst), and somehow my brain got from there to a song about singing. I suppose the one thing that might make this one stand apart from other hymns about song is that (as I’ve had to learn in recent years) not all songs are songs of big exuberant joy, and yet God wants us to sing them all (or so I hope).

NOTE: while Sibelius’s stalwart tune has passed into public domain, be advised that any arrangement you find in your hymnal is likely under some copyright or other. 

A hymn set suitable for Advent wreath candle lighting

 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

Encourage one another

Encourage one another; do not give in to fear!

Be not dismayed nor hopeless for those no longer here.

Let not your grief be helpless like those who do not know

Of Jesus’ true redemption God does on us bestow.

 

Encourage one another; live not in dank despair!

Those who have passed before us are still in God’s good care.

When comes at last reunion with Christ the Living One, 

We will be yet preceded by those whose rest is done.

 

Encourage one another; God’s faithfulness is sure!

Our Lord does not abandon; our hope is yet secure,

Alive or dead, no matter; for all, not just for some.

God holds us all, both now and for ages yet to come.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2020 (after 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

MUSIC: Tune WIE LIEBLICH IST DER MAIEN, Johann Steurlein, 1575

 

 

What can I say? The epistles inspire me, evidently. The challenge here is to catch the main point without getting bogged down in the kind of theological minutia that causes schisms. 

Take on the mind of Christ

Take on the mind of Christ our Lord: though God in every way,

He did not cling to heav’nly form, but gave himself away.

 

Take on the mind of Christ our Lord: he took a servant mind,

Yes, Christ, the Everlasting One took on our human kind.

 

Take on the mind of Christ our Lord, who did not call it loss

To be obedient to the end of death upon a cross.

 

So at the name of Christ our Lord, let every knee now bend,

And every tongue confess him Lord forever, without end.

 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, 2019-20, after Philippians 2:5-8 (10-11)

MUSIC: Tune DETROIT, Supplement to Kentucky Harmony, 1820.

The first three stanzas were written about a year ago, more as a challenge or test than for any particular immediate usage. Lo and behold, the passage appears in the lectionary in a couple of weeks, and that last half I didn't know what to do with suddenly became verse four. 

In time of Advent

In time of Advent we await God's son in humble birth.

To angel choirs and shepherds' fame our hearts rejoice and lips exclaim,

"We pray your will be done! O come, Lord Jesus, come!"

 

Yet now, in days of hateful song, the guiding star's light dims.

As factions thrive on driving fear and threaten those whom you hold dear,

Our hope has come undone. O come, Lord Jesus, come.

 

Amidst the strife and raging fire we long to know you near.

We yearn for holy majesty and pray with longing, "Can we see

Our lives and souls redone?" O come, Lord Jesus, come.

 

So guide our steps and actions here in this unraveling time,

So that your Son born long ago will be the only Lord we know.

We pray your will be done! O come, Lord Jesus, come.

 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, September 2020.

MUSIC: Tune REPTON, C. Hubert H. Parry, 1888.

 

 

 

Part of the Advent Hymnary project.

For lo! the day will surely come

For lo! the day will surely come;

God's promises will be fulfilled.

God's children will be safely home,

And justice done as God has willed.

 

So be on guard and not weighed down

With worries and desires in vain;

But pray that you may yet endure

To stand before the Son of Man.

 

May God give you the strength of heart

To stand in truth and without blame,

To welcome Christ and all his saints

And at his coming praise his name.

 

 

 

Text: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2020, after Advent 1C scriptures 

(Jeremiah 33:14-16; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)

Music: Suggested tune VOM HIMMEL HOCH, Schuman's Geistliche Lieder, 1539

Another contribution to the Advent Hymnary project, moving to year C.

Behold and see the promise come

Behold and see the promise come; a woman who will bear a son.

A sign is given from God above, the true and only Holy One.

 

Behold and hear the holy Word, the gospel of God's only Son:

Once promised in the prophets' lore, now see the long-awaited one.

 

Behold and see the troubled man, the father of God's Holy Son;

In faith he heeds the angel's call to care for God's Anointed One.

 

Behold and hear the call today to follow God's most favored Son,

To serve and work and witness sure, to live in Christ who makes us one.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2020, after Advent 4A scriptures

MUSIC: Tune PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, Trier ms., 14^th cent.; adapt. Michael Praetorius, 1609; harm. George Ratcliffe Woodward, 1910.

Another hymn for the Advent Hymnary project; also, a potential substitute for a cycle of hymns for Year A Sundays, more general in nature than "When Joseph learned," originally created for Advent 4A. For churches that use a "Watch-Prepare-Rejoice-Behold" theme for Advent (which works very well in year A), this fits the "behold" theme well, obviously.

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, December 2018, revised August 2020 (after liturgy by Anna Traynham)

MUSIC: Tune STILL, STILL, STILL, Austrian Carol

As noted, this is a revision of an earlier hymn for Christmas Eve 2020, found here. The revision is fairly straightforward in that the original three verses are reversed in order and a fourth added, allowing for this hymn originally designed for Christmas Eve to recapitulate the hope-peace-joy-love cycle (associated with Advent and wreath lightings in many churches) more completely. As this set of Advent songs is not bound to a particular year's readings it may be usable in any Advent cycle. 

A hymn set for Advent B

 A set of hymns for the four Sundays of the not-as-far-away-as-you-think season of Advent, year B.

Advent 1B: I thank my God for you each time I pray

I thank my God for you each time I pray for God to keep you blameless on that day.

God gives true grace to you in Christ the Son, so you are strengthened by the Holy One.

I thank my God for you each time I pray for God to keep you blameless on that day.

 

The Word of Christ is strong among you all, so you lack nothing for your spiritual call.

Now wait for the revealing of God's Son; receive the strength of God's own Holy One.

I thank my God for you each time I pray for God to keep you blameless on that day.

 

God is a faithful God, who calls to you to live, in everything you say and do,

In fellowship with Jesus, God's own Son, the Christ, the Savior, God's own Holy One.

I thank my God for you each time I pray for God to keep you blameless on that day.

 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2020, after 1 Cor. 1:3-9 (Advent 1B)

MUSIC: Tune VENITE ADOREMUS, Italian folk melody, Children's Praise, 1871 (10.10.10.10 with refrain)

 

 

Advent 2B: It was written by the prophet

It was written by the prophet named Isaiah in that day: 

"See, a messenger before you, one who will prepare your way."

Crying out in darkest night, one who comes to show the light.

 

"In this time of bleakest chaos, now prepare the Lord a way;

Make a path both true and certain for the One who comes this day."

Prophet words foretold the light, all amidst the dark of night.

 

John was he who spoke this message, out in Jordan's wilderness;

Preaching and baptizing freely, both to chastise and to bless

All who did confess their sin. Then he placed this hope within:

 

"He who comes with heav'nly power brings the Spirit now to bless,

Far beyond this splash of water in this lonely wilderness."

Now prepare your hearts within, that your life be whole again.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2020, after Mark 1:1-8 (Advent 2B)

MUSIC: Tune IRBY, Henry John Gauntlett, 1849. (8.7.8.7.7.7.)

Advent 3B: Rejoice! Rejoice in every time

Rejoice! Rejoice in every time! Give thanks in every way.

Give thanks for Christ, the Holy One, until that promised day,

Until that promised day.

 

Live life in prayer without an end; live prayer in all you say.

Hold fast to good, and shun the wrong until that promised day,

Until that promised day.

 

Let Spirit flame burn bright in you at home, at work, at play,

And do not douse that holy fire until that promised day,

Until that promised day:

 

That promised day when Christ shall come, when hope shall be made true,

For faithful is the one who calls to show us life anew,

To show us life anew.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, July 2020 (after 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24)

MUSIC: Tune CHRISTMAS, George Frederick Handel, 1728; arr. Lowell Mason, 1821.

Advent 4B: To our God, who holds you strong

To our God, who holds you strong and will not let your soul succumb,

As foretold by Christ the Lord, who was and is and is to come:

Through our Christ, to God be glory, now, forever, Amen!

 

Once concealed in deepest mystery, kept in secret long ago,

Now revealed in prophet story that the world may come to know:

Through our Christ, to God be glory, now, forever, Amen!

 

By command of God eternal is this truth now made full-known,

So we folk of God's creation might true faith both live and own:

Through our Christ, to God be glory, now, forever, Amen!

 

Jesus Christ our only glory, low-born once, will come again;

He who was despised, rejected will on earth forever reign:

Through our Christ, to God be glory now, forever, Amen!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2020 (after Romans 16:25-27)

MUSIC: Suggested tune REGENT SQUARE, Henry Thomas Smart, 1867

PDFs available.