A little apocalypse song (Luke's version)

When our handmade temples have been thrown down,

Not a stone has been left on stone;

When the force of wrong comes to squelch the song

That is all we have ever known;

When wars abound, rumors all around,

And our hearts are bereft and numb,

Don't give in to lies, but look to the skies

For the Son of Man to come.

 

Refrain:

The heavenly signs that will mark the times

Are for all and not just for some;

So raise up your eyes, looking to the skies

For the Son of Man to come.

 

When the false one comes, saying "I am he!", 

Leading millions to go astray,

Let your minds get wise to the blasphemous lies

And hold on to the narrow way.

The prophets false with their vain assaults,

They will fail, so do not succumb!

You will stand up straight as you watch and wait

For the Son of Man to come.

 

Refrain

 

When the fig tree blooms with its leaves of green

Then you know summer's almost here;

When you see these signs, hold this in your minds 

That the reign of our God draws near. 

Be on your guard, though the times are hard,

To injustice do not be numb; 

Be alert always till the final days

When the Son of Man will come!

 

Refrain

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2024, after Luke 21

MUSIC: Tune STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN, Irish melody.

 

For a couple of weeks I've been convinced I would never write another hymn, and I wasn't sure I wanted to. I needed to test myself, and the portion of Luke's "little apocalypse" (as opposed to Mark's) that comes along for Advent 1C somehow became the challenge that drew me out. (The tune is public domain but the arrangement from which I am working is copyright, so I'm being especially cautious here and only giving an incipit.)  I don't expect for this ever to be sung, but maybe it broke the funk. 

The Spirit of the Lord our God (Advent 3B)

The Spirit of the Lord our God fell on the prophet's heart, 

Anointing him to bring good news to those once kept apart; 

To bring release to prisoned ones and captive bonds destroy.

Pray for the freeing joy of God; pray for that freeing joy.

 

The Spirit of the Lord did fall out in the wilderness,

On one sent out there to foretell the One who comes to bless;

To preach repentance to the folk, the powerful to annoy.

Seek out the wildsome joy of God; seek out that wildsome joy.

 

The Spirit of the Lord did lead an angel to proclaim

Unto a woman who would bear the Son of God in name; 

She sang of lifting up the low, God's saving to deploy.

Go share the soulful joy of God; go share that soulful joy.

 

The Spirit of the Lord calls us to live this joy today, 

In prayer and gratitude, you see the will of God at play

To sanctify you, keep you sound, your witness to employ.

Now live the saving joy of God; now live that saviing joy.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2023, after Advent 3B verses 

            (Isaiah 61:1, John 1:6-8, Luke 1:46-55, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24)

MUSIC: Tune CAROL, Richard Storrs Willis, 1850.

 

 

I suppose it was inevitable that I would revisit some of these Advent hymns. Here a hymn that focused on the epistle reading only (one I still consider a favorite) has a contrast in this text that seeks to touch on multiple readings for Advent 3B (even if the Magnificat is somehow relegated to an *alternate* reading, I will never accept that failure and will incorporate it into every Advent that involves me).

 

 

Now in the Lord rejoice!

Now in the Lord rejoice! Again, I say rejoice!

Worry is not needed here, not when Christ the Lord draws near!

Fretfulness is not our call, but true rejoicing is for all.

In the Lord rejoice! In the Lord rejoice!

 

Now in the Lord rejoice! Again, I say rejoice!

Though the things we see and hear may provoke our doubt and fear, 

Frightfulness is not our way; instead, rejoice from day to day.

In the Lord rejoice! In the Lord rejoice!

 

Now in the Lord rejoice! Again, I say rejoice!

Happiness may charm the soul but alone is not our goal.

Faithfulness and joy combined will lift our heart and soul and mind.

In the Lord rejoice! In the Lord rejoice!

 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2023.

MUSIC: Tune IN DULCI JUBILO, German folk melody, 14th cent.

 

 

A need to find a more accessible tune for a new congregation prompted this new spin on the Advent 3 candle lighting hymn provoked by those liturgies that set me on this hymn-writing path five years ago. Hopefully this tune will be familiar enough...

 

 

In the time of Christmas present

In the time of Christmas present,

We, to mark Your work begun,

Celebrate the birth of Jesus,

Son of God, the Holy One.

We sing songs of praise and wonder

For the thing that You have done:

"Christ the Savior is born."

 

In our joyous celebrations

Children sing and organs play.

Candles flicker in the darkness

As the night o'ertakes the day.

Still, we long for holy quiet

As we journey on Your way:

"Come, let us adore him."

 

For we wait this holy coming

In a world of blinding noise,

One that in its boisterous clamor

Settles for such lesser toys.

How can we, amidst such furor,

Hear Your word and all its joys?

"Christ the Savior is born."

 

Help us, Lord, in such confusion,

Keep our hearts affixed on You; 

Teach us how to bear Your word in

All we say and all we do.

Train our thoughts on Jesus only,

Who is holy, good, and true:

"Come, let us adore him."

 

 

Text: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2022.

Music: Tune DIVINUM MYSTERIUM, Plainsong, Mode V 

I can only guess that folks who are heavily invovled in a church's observances of the seasons of Advent and Christmas (and maybe even Epiphany) can get thoroughly overwhelmed by the work at times and lose the thread that makes those seasons matter (raises hand). I also wonder if for everybody - ministers, musicians, congregations - it can be sorely challenging to keep that thread amidst the ferocious drumbeat of "the holidays" (a name that in some forms truly respects none of the observances that happen in this time). This text tries to sort through all that. A couple of phrases from familiar carols of the season do pop in, and the use of a chant tune is deliberate in a way I am not certain I can explain, as is the old-fashioned use of capitalized second-person pronouns in addressing God. 

Two general Advent hymns

Apparently the Advent season is a major inspiration point for my hymn writing thing. These two are more general hymns for the season rather than being tied to specific weeks or events or texts. The first acknowledges the challenge of marking Advent in a time of conflict and division; the second functions almost as an Advent "preview," with a little peek at everything forthcoming.

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 Song 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.

 

Manger scenes and hanging greens, signals of a season;

Are we, in these festive scenes, searching for a reason?

Have we in our sound and song, ‘hope” and “joy” and “glory,”

Somehow got the meaning wrong? Have we lost the story?

 

Listen to the prophets’ call, pointing to deliverance;

Righteousness for one and all, making hope and difference.

Justice is their constant cry, peace their faithful calling;

Pointing to redemption nigh, warning us from falling.

 

Hear the songs that call us near, pointing to a Savior. 

Zechariah makes us hear of God’s coming favor.

Mary knows God’s blessing true, strength and mercy showing.

John, baptizing, calls anew for repentance growing.

 

See the visions yet to come, sights that leave us reeling.

Yet we see through all of these Jesus’s own revealing. 

Hear the call to stand and wait, watchful and unfailing; 

Never fearing any fate, knowing God’s prevailing.

 

As we make our way ahead, seeking out the stable,

Let us, by the Spirit led, live as we are able:

Doing justice, seeking peace, righteousness fulfilling,

Keeping watch with hope and joy as our Lord is willing.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2021.

MUSIC: Suggested tune TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM, Piae Cantiones, 1582.

Manger scenes and hanging greens

Manger scenes and hanging greens, signals of a season;

Are we, in these festive scenes, searching for a reason?

Have we in our sound and song, ‘hope” and “joy” and “glory,”

Somehow got the meaning wrong? Have we lost the story?

 

Listen to the prophets’ call, pointing to deliverance;

Righteousness for one and all, making hope and difference.

Justice is their constant cry, peace their faithful calling;

Pointing to redemption nigh, warning us from falling.

 

Hear the songs that call us near, pointing to a Savior. 

Zechariah makes us hear of God’s coming favor.

Mary knows God’s blessing true, strength and mercy showing.

John, baptizing, calls anew for repentance growing.

 

See the visions yet to come, sights that leave us reeling.

Yet we see through all of these Jesus’ own revealing. 

Hear the call to stand and wait, watchful and unfailing; 

Never fearing any fate, knowing God’s prevailing.

 

As we make our way ahead, seeking out the stable,

Let us, by the Spirit led, live as we are able:

Doing justice, seeking peace, righteousess fulfilling,

Keeping watch with hope and joy as our Lord is willing.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2021.

MUSIC: Suggested tune TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM, Piae Cantiones, 1582. 

I'm not sure what this one is nor where it came from. I can only surmise that the preparation for Advent this season seems fraught with the urge not to "lose the plot" of the Christian walk in the progress through Advent to Christmas. Maybe that's a particular concern in a time when even the most faithful of us are susceptible to the urge to seek comfort at the expense of faithfulness? I don't know, but make of it what you will. 

With the rising of the sun

With the rising of the sun, we wait for the Savior,

Long-foretold, the Promised One, born of God’s own favor.

He who comes from Bethlehem, told in prophet-story,

Stands to feed God’s children all, full of power and glory.

 

With the rising of the sun, we wait for the Savior,

Long-foretold, the Promised One, born of God’s own favor.

Come to tear the powerful down and lift up the lowly,

He is God’s own Mighty One, and his name is holy.

 

With the rising of the sun, we wait for the Savior,

Long-foretold, the Promised One, born of God’s own favor.­

He comes now to do God’s will, all that is God’s pleasure,

And to sanctify us all, as our God does measure.

 

With the rising of the sun, we wait for the Savior,

Long-foretold, the Promised One, born of God’s own favor.

One who comes to save us all, healing and restoring,

This is he who makes our hearts joyful and adoring.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, January 2021, after Advent 4C scriptures

MUSIC: Tune TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM, Piae Cantiones, 1582

 

Part of the Advent Hymnary project.

 

How then shall we live

How then shall we live, and what then should we do?

If someone has none, then give one of your two.

Take nothing by force; do not threaten or goad.

Collect nothing more than what your work is owed,

 

How then shall we live, and what then shall we do?

Bear fruit of repentance; give God what is due.

Claim not to inherit some virtue or worth,

But make your heart open for godly new birth.

 

How then shall we live, and what then shall we do?

Rejoice in the Lord and rejoice again too.

Let gentleness from your example be clear,

And know in all truth that the Lord now is near.

 

How then shall we live, and what then shall we do?

Give nothing to worry, but hold what is true: 

That God who surpasses all that we can know

Will guard heart and mind as in Jesus we grow.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, January 2021, after Luke 3:7-18 and Philippians 4:4-7 

(Advent 3C)

MUSIC: Tune CRADLE SONG, William James Kirkpatrick, 1895

 

Part of the Advent Hymnary project

The Lord began a work in John

The Lord began a work in John, 

then dwelling in the wilderness.

Repentance was the word he gave 

to those all bound in sin’s distress.

“Prepare the way now for the Lord, 

            and make his paths all straight and true.”

 

The Lord began a work in you

            before you e’er could know or say, 

And that same Lord will see that work

            until the coming of that day, 

That day of Christ, our saving Lord, 

            whose word is faithful, just and true.

 

Now as this work in you goes on,

            we pray your love may overflow

With knowledge and with insight sure,

            that you might see the way to go;

Onward to Jesus Christ, our Lord,

            who keeps you blameless, pure, and true.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, January 2021, after Luke 3:1-6 and Philippians 1:3-11 (Advent 2C)

MUSIC: Tune SUSSEX CAROL, English carol; arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1912

 

 

Part of the Advent Hymnary project

 

 

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

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.