When Love is Born at Christmas
When love is born at Christmas
the busy world is hushed,
all creation waits to hear
the infant’s cry of life.
The sheep and oxen gather
‘round the humble manger,
The young mother kneels to see
God’s holy child, now hers.
God Himself is bending there,
Yielding self to human care,
To Mary humble mother
and to Joseph standing there.
In the fields not far away
Shepherds guard their flocks by night,
When all the heavens shine bright
With angels in brilliant light,
Singing loud Hallelujahs,
Jesus Christ is born tonight.
Let no evil you affright,
He comes to set things right.
And what do these shepherds see?
A baby in a manger,
such a simple thing to see;
with the mother kneeling by.
GLORIA
Gloria!
Birth
moans
in
strawed stable.
The
King has come,
his
lusty wailing
rends
dark night.
Gloria!
Birth
bloody
as
his death,
the
King has come.
His
reality
mouth
and mother's breast.
Gloria!
Birth
starlit in musked air,
The
King has come,
God
swaddled in human need.
Gloria!
Jesus Son of God Most High.
Gloria in Excelsis Deo!
Gloria!
Wondrous
Love
What wondrous love,
my Lord that you should leave
bright heavens realms above
to dwell with us below.
Enthroned above
with the Father and the Spirit
in eternal glory,
in majesty supernal.
Myriad’s of angels.
Seraphim and cherubim
in ceaseless adoration
sing the praises of Your Name.
Now time bound.
In human flesh appearing,
The Virgin’s womb
Not distaining.
King of kings
yet born of Mary
God’s only Son
now one of us.
BELLS RINGING
Bells ringing!
Bells singing!
In simple joy,
Love's own alloy,
God's babe is born
this happy morn.
Bells ringing!
Bells singing!
The infant's tear
Cries God is here.
He’s come at last,
Now life will last.
Bells ringing!
Bells singing!
The Winding Centuries Have Come and Gone
The winding centuries have come and gone
Still the Christmas song goes on and on.
Some have loved the Babe, some still hate him;
Christmas joy is for hearts that welcome him.
Peace on earth, the thronging angels sing,
Throughout the heavens hear the merry chorus ring.
Simple shepherds on the hill rejoice to hear
The news that Almighty God has drawn near.
Herod on his throne feels a deadly chill;
Any who threaten his power he will kill,
Wife, or son, or even little baby child.
There is no safety for child or mother mild.
King Herod is dead; the years
have come and gone,
Only Christ will come with the
breaking of the dawn.
