Crown Him, ye morning stars of light

All hail the power of Jesus' name

Words: Edward Perronet (1726-92) alt. John Rippon (1751-1836) and others
Tune: Coronation

All hail the power of Jesus' name
let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye morning stars of light,
who fixed this floating ball;
now hail the Strength of Israel's might
and crown Him Lord of all.

Ye prophets who our freedom won,
ye searchers, great and small,
by whom the work of truth is done,
now crown him Lord of all.

Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,
ye ransomed of the fall,
hail Him who saves you by His grace,
and crown him Lord of all.

Hail Him, the heir of David's line,
whom David Lord did call,
the God incarnate, Man divine,
and crown Him Lord of all.

Sinners whose love can ne'er forget
the wormwood and the gall,
go, spread your trophies at His feet,
and crown Him Lord of all.

Bless him, each poor oppressèd race
that Christ did upward call;
His hand in each achievement trace,
and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every tribe and every tongue
before Him prostrate fall,
and shout in universal song
the crownèd Lord of all.

O that with yonder sacred throng
we at His feet may fall,
join in the everlasting song,
and crown Him Lord of all.

Alleluia!

Selah.

True man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming

Words: tanzas 1-2: German, fifteenth century carol; trans. Theodore Baker, 1894. stanzas 3-4: Friedrich Layritz (1808-1859); trans. Harriet Reynolds Krauth (1845-1925).
Tune: Es ist ein Ros

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
from tender stem hath sprung!
of Jesse's lineage coming,
as those of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
amid the cold of winter,
when half spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
the Rose I have in mind;
with Mary we behold it,
the Virgin Mother kind.
To show God's love aright,
she bore to us a Savior,
when half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story
proclaimed by angels bright,
how Christ, the Lord of glory
was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
and in the manger they found him,
as angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
with sweetness fills the air,
dispels with glorious splendor
the darkness everywhere;
true man, yet very God,
from sin and death he saves us,
and lightens every load.

Alleluia!

Selah.

Fire our hearts with thy strong love

High Word of God, who once didst come

Words: Latin, tenth century; trans. Charles Bigg, 1906
Tune: Verbum supernum prodiens

High Word of God, who once didst come,
leaving thy Father and thy home,
to succor by thy birth our kind,
when, towards thy advent, time declined,

Pour light upon us from above,
and fire our hearts with thy strong love,
that, as we hear thy Gospel read,
all fond desires may flee in dread;

That when thou comest from the skies,
great Judge, to open thine assize,
to give each hidden sin its smart,
and crown as kings the pure in heart,

We be not set at thy left hand,
where sentence due would bid us stand,
but with the saints thy face may see,
forever wholly loving thee.

Praise to the Father and the Son,
through all the ages as they run;
and to the holy Paraclete
be praise with them and worship meet.

Selah.

Waiting with mingled hope and fear

Earth was waiting, spent and restless

Words: W.C. Smith (1824-1908)
Tune: Picardy

Earth was waiting, spent and restless,
with a mingled hope and fear,
faithful men and women praying,
"Surely, Lord, the day is near:
the Desire of all the nations --
it is time He should appear!"

Then the Spirit of the Highest
to a Virgin meek came down,
and He burdened her with blessing,
and He pained her with renown;
for she bore the Lord's Anointed
for His cross and for His crown.

Earth has groaned and labored for Him
since the ages first began,
for in Him was hid the secret
which through all the ages ran --
Son of Mary, Son of David,
Son of God, and Son of Man.

Selah.

"Come to Me," saith One

Art thou weary, art thou languid?

Words: John Mason Neale, 1862
Tune: Cuttle Mills

Art thou weary, art thou languid,
art thou sore distressed?
"Come to Me," saith One, "and coming,
be at rest. "

Hath He marks to lead me to Him,
if He be my guide?
In His feet and hands are wound prints
and His side.

Is there diadem, as monarch,
that His brow adorns?
Yes, a crown in very surety,
but of thorns.

If I find Him, if I follow,
what His guerdon here?
Many a sorrow, many a labor,
many a tear.

If I still hold closely to Him,
what hath He at last?
Sorrow vanquished, labor ended,
Jordan passed.

If I ask Him to receive me,
will He say me nay?
Not till earth and not till heaven
pass away.

Finding, following, keeping, struggling,
is He sure to bless?
Saints, apostles, prophets, martyrs,
answer, yes!

Alleluia!

Selah.

O Son of God, our Captain of salvation

O Son of God, our Captain of salvation

Words: John Ellerton, 1871
Tune: Strength and Stay

O Son of God, our Captain of salvation,
thyself by suffering schooled to human grief,
we bless thee for thy sons of consolation,
who follow in the steps of thee their Chief.

Those whom thy Spirit's dread vocation severs
to lead the vanguard of thy conquering host;
whose toilsome years are spent in brave endeavors
to bear thy saving Name from coast to coast.

Those whose bright faith makes feeble hearts grow stronger,
and sends fresh warriors to the great campaign,
bids the lone convert feel estranged no longer,
and wins the sundered to be one again;

And all true helpers, patient, kind, and skillful,
who shed thy light across our darkened earth,
counsel the doubting, and restrain the willful,
soothe the sick bed, and share the children's mirth.

Such was thy Levite, strong in self-oblation
to cast his all at thine apostles' feet;
he whose new name, through every Christian nation,
from age to age our thankful strains repeat.

Thus, Lord, thy saint in holy memory keeping,
still be thy Church's watchword, "Comfort ye,"
till in our Father's house shall end our weeping,
and all our wants be satisfied in thee!

Selah.

My beloved, arise

Come away to the skies

Words: The Southern Harmony, 1835, alt.
Tune: Middlebury

Come away to the skies,
my beloved, arise
and rejoice in the day thou wast born;
on this festival day,
come exulting away,
and with singing to Zion return.

Now with singing and praise,
let us spend all the days,
by our heavenly Father bestowed,
while His grace we receive
from His bounty, and live
to the honor and glory of God.

For the glory we were
first created to share,
both the nature and kingdom divine!
Now created again
that our lives may remain,
throughout time and eternity thine.

We with thanks do approve
the design of that love
which hath joined us to Jesus' Name;
so united in heart,
let us nevermore part,
till we meet at the feast of the Lamb.

Hallelujah we sing,
to our Father and King,
and His rapturous praises, repeat:
to the Lamb that was slain,
hallelujah again,
sing, all heaven, and fall at His feet.

Selah.

For Christ, through whom all things were made

The glory of these forty days

Words: Latin, sixth century

Tune: Erhalt uns, Herr

The glory of these forty days
we celebrate with songs of praise;
for Christ, through whom all things were made,
himself has fasted and has prayed.

Alone and fasting Moses saw
the loving God who gave the law;
and to Elijah, fasting, came
the steeds and chariots of flame.

So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
delivered from the lions' might;
and John, the Bridegroom's friend, became
the herald of Messiah's name.

Then grant us, Lord, like them to be
full oft in fast and prayer with thee;
our spirits strengthen with thy grace,
and give us joy to see thy face.

O Father, Son, and Spirit blest,
to thee be every prayer addressed,
who art in three-fold Name adored,
from age to age, the only Lord.

Selah.

Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light!

Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light

Words, verse 1: Johann Rist, 1641; trans. John Troutbeck, ca. 1885;
words: vv. 2 & 3 by Fred Pratt Green
Tune: Ermuntre dich

Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light,
And usher in the morning;
O shepherds, shrink not with afright,
But hear the angel's warning.
This Child, now weak in infancy,
Our confidence and joy shall be,
The power of Satan breaking,
Our peace eternal making.

This night of wonder, night of joy,
was born the Christ, our brother;
he comes, not mighty to destroy,
to bid us love each other.
How could he quit his kingly state
for such a world of greed and hate?
What deep humiliation
secured the world's salvation!

Come, dearest child, into our hearts,
and leave your crib behind you!
Let this be where the new life starts
for all who seek and find you.
To you the honor, thanks, and praise,
for all your gifts this time of grace;
come, conquer and deliver
this world, and us, forever.

Selah.

Yet searched and true they found it!

I sing the birth

A Christmas carol by Ben Jonson

I sing the birth was born tonight,
The Author both of life and light:
The angels so did sound it,
The angels so did sound it, so did sound it;
The like the ravished shepherds said,
Who saw the light and were afraid,
Yet searched, and true they found it,
Yet searched, and true they found it,
True they found it, and true they found it.

The Son of God, the eternal King,
That did us all salvation bring,
And freed the world from danger,
And freed the world from danger, freed from danger,
He whom the whole world could not take,
The Word which heaven and earth did make,
Was now laid in a manger,
Was now laid in a manger
In a manger, laid in a manger.

What comfort do we by Him win,
Who made Himself the price of sin,
To make us heirs of glory!
To make us heirs of glory, heirs of glory!
To see this Babe, all innocence,
A Martyrs born in our defense--
Can man forget the story,
Can man forget,
Can man forget the story,
Forget the story?
Can man forget the story?

Selah!

And so this is Christmas!

Merry Christmas one and all! Here's a pic of my mother's tree... a great tribute to Christmas! Hopefully the warmth of this scene will lighten your heart with the peace of Christ this holy day... as this tree is evergreen, so may your heart find rest in the ever grace of God, made known in Jesus! The arms of God are open to you this season, thus does this tree witness... Alleluia!

To do thy will, O Lord!

Our Great Redeemer

Words: Christian Hymnbook, 1865, as alt. in The Hymnal 1982.
Tune: This Endris Nyght

"I come," the great Redeemer cries,
"To do thy will, O Lord!"
At Jordan's stream, behold!
He seals the sure prophetic word.

"Thus it becomes to fulfill
all righteousness," He said.
Then, faithful to the Lord's commands,
through Jordan's flood was led.

Hark, a glad voice! The Father speaks
from heaven's exalted height:
"This is my Son, my well-beloved
in whom I take delight."

The Savior Jesus, well-beloved!
His Name we will profess,
like Him desirous to fulfill
God's will in righteousness.

No more we'll count ourselves our own
but His in bonds of love.
Oh, may such bonds for ever draw
our souls to things above!

Selah.

A Litany for Advent

Antiphons

O Wisdom,
coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
pervading and permeating all creation,
you order all things with strength and gentleness.
Come now and teach us the way to salvation.

Come Lord Jesus!

O Adonai,
Ruler of the house of Israel,
you appeared in the burning bush to Moses
and gave him the law on Sinai:
Come with outstretched arm to save us:

Come Lord Jesus!

O Root of Jesse,
rising as a sign for all the peoples,
before you earthly rulers will keep silent
and nations give you honor:
Come quickly to deliver us.

Come Lord Jesus!

O Key of David,
Scepter over the house of Israel,
you open and no one can close;
you close and no one can open:
Come to set free the prisoners
who live in darkness and the shadow of death.

Come Lord Jesus!

O Ruler of the nations,
Monarch for whom the people long,
you are the Cornerstone uniting all humanity:
Come save us all, whom you formed out of clay.

Come Lord Jesus!

O Immanuel,
our Sovereign and Lawgiver,
you are the desire of all the nations and Savior of all:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

Come Lord Jesus!

Silence.

Prayer

God of grace,
Ever faithful to your promises,
The earth rejoices in hope of our Savior’s coming
And looks forward with longing
To His return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts to receive Him when He cmes,
For He is Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Selah.

“Litany of Advent: O Antiphons,” Book of Common Worship, 167.

His darkest hour His greatest victory

Raised on the cross, He draws us to His side

Words: Marnie Barrell
Tune: Woodlands

Raised on the cross, He draws us to His side
the son of Mary claims His destiny.
Alone, in pain, as one of us He died,
His darkest hour His greatest victory.

Raised from the tomb, He draws us to His side
the son of God calls us to trust His way.
In Him we live, transformed and glorified,
God's new creation born on Easter day.

Raised up to God, He draws us to His side
the Lord of earth and heaven takes His place,
the path of life eternal opened wide;
with Him forever we shall see God's face!

Selah.

So let the Spirit draw us near

Relentless lover, God in Christ

Words: Marnie Barrell
Tune: Kingsfold

Relentless lover, God in Christ
who died to set us free,
unswerving as your love for us
may our commitment be:
to come and learn what courage means,
and take the challenge up
to walk with Christ through death to life,
to drink His bitter cup.

And when we come, may that fierce love
be tasted, touched and known,
as we who gather round the Cross
meet in Christ's death our own.
God grant we shall not fear to drink
His cup, the blood He shed,
nor let our hands, unwounded, shrink
from taking up His bread.

So let the Spirit draw us near
to find, in hope and trust,
His broken body risen here,
His life renewed in us.
Life given, life renewed again
in thousandfold increase;
He lives, and sends us out to be
His living gift of peace!

Selah.

Once for our salvation slain

Lo! He comes, with clouds descending

Written by John Cennick in 1752, altered by Charles Wesley in 1758, and then altered by Martin Madan in 1760.
Tune: Helmsley

Lo! He comes, with clouds descending,
once for our salvation slain;
thousand thousand saints attending
swell the triumph of his train:
Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
Christ the Lord returns to reign.

Every eye shall now behold Him,
robed in dreadful majesty;
those who set at nought and sold Him,
pierced, and nailed Him to the tree,
deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
shall the true Messiah see.

Those dear tokens of His passion
still His dazzling body bears,
cause of endless exultation
to His ransomed worshipers;
with what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture
gaze we on those glorious scars!

Now redemption, long expected,
see in solemn pomp appear;
all His saints, by man rejected,
now shall meet Him in the air:
Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
See the day of God appear!

Yea, amen! let all adore thee,
high on thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory;
claim the kingdom for thine own:
Alleluia! alleluia! alleluia!
Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.

Selah.

And death, accepted, proves love true

Transfigured Christ, none comprehends

Words: Alan Gaunt
Tune: Brockham

Transfigured Christ, none comprehends
your majesty, whose splendor stuns
all waking souls; whose light transcends
the brightness of a thousand suns!

You stand with Moses on the hill,
you speak of your new exodus.
The way through death you will fulfill
by dying helpless on the cross.

You stand here with Elijah too,
by whom the still small voice was heard;
and you, yourself, will prove God true,
made mute in death, incarnate Word.

If we could bear your brightness here
and stay forever in your light,
then we would conquer grief and fear,
and scorn the terrors of the night.

But, from the heights, you bring us down
to share earth's agonies with you,
where piercing thorns are made your crown
and death, accepted, proves love true.

Majestic Christ, God's well-loved Son,
if we must share your grief and loss,
transfigure us, when all is done,
with glory shining from your cross!

Selah.

Love to the loveless shown

My song is love unknown

Words: Samuel Crossman, 1664

My song is love unknown,
my Savior's love to me,
love to the loveless shown
that they might lovely be.
O who am I
that for my sake
my Lord should take
frail flesh and die?

He came from His blest throne
salvation to bestow,
but men made strange, and none
the longed-for Christ would know.
But O my friend,
my friend indeed,
who at my need,
His life did spend.

Sometimes they strew His way,
and His strong praises sing,
resounding all the day
hosannas to their King.
Then "Crucify!"
is all their breath,
and for His death
they thirst and cry.

Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run,
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries!
Yet they at these
themselves displease,
and 'gainst Him rise.

They rise, and needs will have
my dear Lord made away;
a murderer they save,
the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet steadfast He
to suffering goes,
that He his foes
from thence might free.

Here might I stay and sing,
no story so divine:
never was love, dear King,
never was grief like thine.
This is my friend,
in whose sweet praise
I all my days
could gladly spend.

Thy offering still continues new

O thou, before the world began

Words: John and Charles Wesley, 1745
Tune: Das neugeborne Kindelein

O thou, before the world began,
ordained a sacrifice for man,
and by the eternal Spirit made
an offering in the sinner's stead;
our everlasting Priest art thou,
pleading thy death for sinners now.

Thy offering still continues new
before the righteous Father's view;
thyself the Lamb forever slain;
thy priesthood doth unchanged remain;
thy years, O God, can never fail,
nor thy blest work within the veil.

O that our faith may never move,
but stand unshaken as thy love,
sure evidence of things unseen;
now let it pass the years between
and view thee bleeding on the tree:
my Lord, my God, who dies for me.

To us may grace be given to follow in His train

The Son of God goes forth to war
Words: Reginald Heber, 1827
Tune: All Saints New

The Son of God goes forth to war,
a kingly crown to gain;
His blood red banner streams afar:
who follows in His train?
Who best can drink His cup of woe,
triumphant over pain,
who patient bears his cross below,
he follows in His train.

That martyr first, whose eagle eye
could pierce beyond the grave;
who saw his Master in the sky,
and called on Him to save.
Like him, with pardon on his tongue,
in midst of mortal pain,
he prayed for them that did the wrong:
who follows in his train?

A glorious band, the chosen few
on whom the Spirit came;
twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
and mocked the cross and flame.
They met the tyrant's brandished steel,
the lion's gory mane;
they bowed their heads the death to feel:
who follows in their train?

A noble army, men and boys,
the matron and the maid,
around the Savior's throne rejoice,
in robes of light arrayed.
They climbed the steep ascent of heaven,
through peril, toil and pain;
O God, to us may grace be given,
to follow in their train!