Hymns #44 - And Now, My Soul, Another Year

And Now, My Soul, Another Year

And now, my soul, another year
Of thy short life is past;
I cannot long continue here,
And this may be my last.

Awake, my soul! with utmost care
Thy true condition learn;
What are thy hopes, how sure? how fair?
What is thy great concern?

Behold, another year begins!
Set out afresh for Heaven;
Seek pardon for thy former sins,
In Christ so freely given.

Devoutly yield thyself to God,
And on His grace depend;
With zeal pursue the heavenly road,
Nor doubt a happy end.

(Words by Simon Browne)

Hymns #43 - O Thou Who Sealest Up the Past

O Thou Who Sealest Up the Past

O Thou who sealest up the past,
The days slip from us, and the years
Grow silent with their hopes and fears;
’Tis Thine to keep all things at last.

We have not done the things we would,
A blotted page we render back;
And yet, whate’er our work may lack,
Thy work goes on, and Thou art good.

Thou movest in the moving years;
Wherever man is, there Thou art
To overrule his feebler part,
And bring a blessing out of tears.

Thou opener of the years to be,
Let me not lose, in woe or weal,
The touch of Thy strong hand I feel
Upholding and directing me.

(Words by Samuel V. Cole)

Christmas Hymns #15 - Evergreen, Holly and Laurel

Evergreen, Holly and Laurel

Hail to the morn when Christ is born!
Hosanna in the highest!
Angels on high sing thro’ the sky!
Hosanna in the highest!
Shepherds adore the Lamb today:
Kings from the east are on their way;

Refrain

Sing then all in house and hall:
Hosanna!
Christ is born on Christmas morn,
Hosanna in the highest!

Cedar and pine now cheerily twine:
Hosanna in the highest!
Crown every scene with evergreen:
Hosanna in the highest!
Now is the reign of darkness o’er:
Jesu is King for evermore!

Refrain

Boughs of the holly this day adorn:
Hosanna in the highest!
Sharp are the leaves as crowns of thorn:
Hosanna in the highest!
See, in the berries all blood-red,
Blood that, for us, this Babe shall shed:

Refrain

Laurel and bay bring forth today:
Hosanna in the highest!
Matchless His might in deadly fight:
Hosanna in the highest!
Hail to the Child Immanuel!
Conqueror is He of death and hell!

Refrain

(Words by John H. Hopkins, Jr.)

Christmas Hymns #14 - Wonderful Night

Wonderful night! Wonderful night!
Angels and shining immortals,
Thronging thine ebony portals,
Fling out their banners of light,
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful night! Wonderful night!
Dreamed of by prophets and sages!
Manhood redeemed for all ages,
Welcomes thy hallowing might,
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful night! Wonderful night!
Down o’er the stars to restore us,
Leading His flame-wingèd chorus,
Comes the Eternal to sight—
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful Night

Wonderful night! Wonderful night!
Thee did the daystar adorning,
Christen with dew of the morning;
Eve of a day ever bright—
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful night! Wonderful night!
Sweet be thy rest to the weary,
Making the dull heart and dreary
Laugh in a dream of delight;
Wonderful, wonderful night!

Wonderful night! Wonderful night!
Let me, as long as life lingers,
Sing with the cherubim singers,
Glory to God in the height!
Wonderful, wonderful night!

(Words by John F. Meyer)

Christmas Hymns #13 - O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful

O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful

O thou joyful, O thou wonderful
Grace revealing Christmastide!
Jesus came to win us
From all sin within us;
Glorify, glorify the Holy Child!

O thou joyful, O thou wonderful
Love revealing Christmastide!
Loud hosannas singing,
And all praises bringing,
May Thy love, may Thy love with us abide.

O thou joyful, O thou wonderful
Peace revealing Christmastide!
Darkness disappeareth,
God’s own light now neareth,
Peace and joy, peace and joy to all betide.

(Words by Johannes D. Falk)

Christmas Hymns #12 - The Magi Came from Lands Afar

The Magi Came from Lands Afar

The Magi came from lands afar,
Led by the guidance of a star,
They journeyed on to Bethlehem,
To seek the Savior, born for them.

And there in humble cottage-home,
Unto the heavenly Child they come;
And low before Him bend the knee
In love and deep humility.

Nor do they come with empty hands—
They bring the treasure of their lands;
Their costliest gifts they offer thence
Of gold and myrrh and frankincense.

They sought the Light, in darkness drear,
And lo, the morn broke full and clear;
The very Light of Light they see,
Though hidden in obscurity.

Jesus, our guiding Star, be nigh
Throughout our life, and when we die,
To lead us safely in the way
Which ends at last in perfect day!

(Words by Miss F. Cozens)

Christmas Hymns #11 - Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

Infant holy, Infant lowly, for His bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the Babe is Lord of all, Christ the Babe is Lord of all.

Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a Gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the Babe was born for you, Christ the Babe was born for you.

At His trial people mocked Him, "Crucify Him!" loud they cried;

Led Him to a cruel cross where for our sins He bled and died.

Son of God so meek and lowly, Son of God so pure and holy,

Was God's perfect sacrifice, was God's perfect sacrifice.

In a borrowed tomb they laid Him, rolled a stone to seal the door
But death could not hold the Savior and He lives forevermore!
Now ascended to the Father, soon His children He will gather.
Risen Lord and coming King!  Risen Lord and coming King!

(Traditional Polish carol; verses 1 and 2;

verses 3 and 4 by Cherie Cheramie)

Christmas Hymns #10 - Glory Be to God on High

Glory Be to God on High

Glory be to God on high,
And peace on earth descend;
Now God comes down, He bows the sky,
And shows Himself our Friend!
God the invisible appears,
God the Blest, the Great I AM,
He sojourns in this vale of tears,
And Jesus is His Name.

Him by the angels all adored,
Their Maker and their King;
Lo, tidings of their humbled Lord
They now to mortals bring;
Emptied of His majesty,
Of His dazzling glories shorn,
Our being’s Source begins to be,
And God Himself is born!

See the eternal Son of God
A mortal Son of Man,
Now dwelling in an earthly clod
Whom Heaven cannot contain!
Stand amazed, ye heavens, look at this!
See the Lord of earth and skies
Low humbled to the dust He is,
And in a manger lies!

So do the sons of men rejoice
The Prince of Peace proclaim,
With Heaven’s host lift up our voice,
And shout Immanuel’s Name;
Our knees and hearts to Him we bow;
Of our flesh, and of our bone,
See—Jesus is our Brother now,
And God is all our own!

(Words by Charles Wesley)

Christmas Hymns #9 - From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

From Heaven above to earth I come,
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing.

To you, this night, is born a Child
Of Mary, chosen mother mild;
This little Child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all your earth.

’Tis Christ our God, who far on high
Had heard your sad and bitter cry;
Himself will your Salvation be,
Himself from sin will make you free.

He brings those blessings, long ago
Prepared by God for all below;
Henceforth His kingdom open stands
To you, as to the angel bands.

These are the tokens ye shall mark,
The swaddling clothes and manger dark;
There shall ye find the young Child laid,
By whom the heavens and earth were made.

Now let us all, with gladsome cheer
Follow the shepherds, and draw near
To see this wondrous gift of God,
Who hath His only Son bestowed.

Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
Who is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this Child so young and fair?
The blessèd Christ-child lieth there.

Welcome to earth, Thou noble Guest,
Through whom e’en wicked men are blest!
Thou com’st to share our misery,
What can we render, Lord, to Thee!

Ah, Lord, who hast created all,
How hast Thou made Thee weak and small,
That Thou must choose Thy infant bed
Where ass and ox but lately fed!

Were earth a thousand times as fair,
Beset with gold and jewels rare,
She yet were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee.

For velvets soft and silken stuff
Thou hast but hay and straw so rough,
Whereon Thou King, so rich and great,
As ’twere Thy heaven, art throned in state.

Thus hath it pleased Thee to make plain
The truth to us poor fools and vain,
That this world’s honor, wealth and might
Are naught and worthless in Thy sight.

Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.

My heart for very joy doth leap,
My lips no more can silence keep,
I too must sing, with joyful tongue,
That sweetest ancient cradle-song—

Glory to God in highest Heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given!
While angels sing, with pious mirth,
A glad New Year to all the earth.

(Words by Martin Luther)

Christmas Hymns #8 - For Unto Us a Child Is Born

For Unto Us a Child Is Born

For unto us a Child is born,
To us a Son is giv’n;
The government shall rest on Him,
Th’ anointed One from Heav’n.
His name is Wonderful Counselor,
The Mighty God is He,
The Everlasting Father,
The humble Prince of Peace.

The increase of His government
And peace shall never end;
He’ll reign on David’s ancient throne
As ruler of all men.
Upheld with justice and righteousness,
Forever His kingdom will last;
The zeal of the Lord God Most High
Will bring these things to pass.

Lord Jesus, come now and reign in me,
Be Lord of my life this hour.
Come be my Counselor and my God,
My source of wisdom and power.
Watch o’er me with Your Father care,
My heart and my mind, fill with peace.
I worship You, my Lord and King,
My praise will never cease.

(Words by Susan H. Peterson)

Christmas Hymns #7 - Down from His Glory

Down from His Glory

Down from His glory,
Ever living story,
My God and Savior came,
And Jesus was His Name.
Born in a manger,
To His own a stranger,
A Man of sorrows, tears and agony.

Refrain

O how I love Him! How I adore Him!
My breath, my sunshine, my all in all.
The great Creator became my Savior,
And all God’s fullness dwelleth in Him.

What condescension,
Bringing us redemption;
That in the dead of night,
Not one faint hope in sight,
God, gracious, tender,
Laid aside His splendor,
Stooping to woo, to win, to save my soul.

Refrain

Without reluctance,
Flesh and blood His substance,
He took the form of man,
Revealed the hidden plan,
O glorious myst’ry
Sacrifice of Calv’ry,
And now I know Thou art the great "I Am."

Refrain

(Words by William E. Booth-Clibborn)

Christmas Hymns #6 - Christmas Carol

Christmas Carol

O, sweet is the story of old;
That wonderful tale of the past;
Tho’ centuries onward have rolled,
That tale shall all ages outlast;
For Christ was the babe that was born;
The Son of the Lord came to earth;
The dawn of the first Christmas morn,
Beheld our Immanuel’s birth.

Refrain

Messiah is king, with rapture we sing,
All glory, all glory to Thee!

O, tell the glad tidings to all;
That wonderful story of old;
Redeemed from the curse and the fall;
Restored to the sheltering fold;
Our Savior came down from above;
He bore all our sorrow and sin,
That we by His infinite love
A rest and a refuge might win.

Refrain

O, pluck the fresh green of the wood;
The box and the myrtle entwine;
Adorn the fair place of the Lord;
With leaves of the evergreen vine.
O, loud let the anthems arise,
To greet Him, our Savior, our King;
While Heaven’s great chorus replies;
Let joyful hosannas now ring.

Refrain

(Words by Mrs. R. N. Turner and R. I. Warren)

Christmas Hymns #5 - Of the Father's Love Begotten

Of the Father's Love Begotten

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd; He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessèd, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

(Words by Aurelius Prudentius)

Christmas Hymns #4 - Christ Is Born Today

Christ the Lord Is Born Today

Glory in the highest, glory!
Saints and angels praise the morn;
Shout hosanna, tell the story,
Christ the Lord of life is born.

Refrain

In the manger He is sleeping;
Scarce we hear His gentle breath;
Yet, O glory, hallelujah!
He hath come to save from death;
Yet, O glory, hallelujah!
He hath come to save from death.

Praise Him, praise Him every nation!
On this happy festive morn;
Praise the Rock of our salvation,
Christ the Lord of life is born.

Refrain

He who trod the way before us,
Bore for us reproach and scorn,
See His banner waving o’er us,
Christ our loving Savior born.

Refrain

Glory in the highest, glory!
Hail the Savior’s natal morn;
Saints and angels tell the story,
Christ the Lord of life is born.

Refrain

(Words by Mary A. Kidder)

Christmas Hymns #3 - Christ Is Born, Tell Forth His Fame

Taking a break from the current book, Spiritual Depression, to celebrate the Savior's birth.

Christ Is Born, Tell Forth His Fame

Christ is born! Tell forth His fame!
Christ from Heaven! His love proclaim!
Christ on earth! Exalt His Name!
Sing to the Lord, O world, with exultation!
Break forth in glad thanksgiving, every nation!
For He hath triumphed gloriously!

Man, in God’s own image made,
Man, by Satan’s wiles betrayed,
Man, on whom corruption preyed,
Shut out from hope of life and of salvation,
Today Christ maketh him a new creation,
For He hath triumphed gloriously!

For the Maker, when His foe
Wrought the creature death and woe,
Bowed the heav’ns, and came below,
And in the virgin’s womb His dwelling making,
Became true Man, man’s very nature taking;
For He hath triumphed gloriously!

He, the Wisdom, Word, and Might,
God, and Son, and Light of light,
Undiscovered by the sight
Of earthly monarch, or infernal spirit,
Incarnate was, that we might Heav’n inherit:
For He hath triumphed gloriously!

(Words by Cosmas the Melodist)

Christmas Hymns #2 - Bright and Joyful Is the Morn

Bright and Joyful Is the Morn

Bright and joyful is the morn,
For to us a Child is born;
From the highest realms of Heaven,
Unto us a Son is given.

On His shoulders He shall bear
Power and majesty, and wear
On His vesture and His thigh,
Names most awful, names most high.

Wonderful in counsel be,
Christ, the incarnate Deity;
Sire of ages, ne’er to cease,
King of kings, and Prince of peace.

Come and worship at His feet;
Yield to Him the homage meet;
From the manger to the throne,
Homage due to God alone.

(Words by James Montgomery)

Christmas Hymns #1 - Behold, the Grace Appears!

 Behold, the Grace Appears!

(Words by Isaac Watts)

Behold, the grace appears!
The promise is fulfilled;
Mary, the wondrous virgin, bears,
And Jesus is the Child.

The Lord, the highest God,
Calls Him His only Son;
He bids Him rule the lands abroad,
And gives Him David’s throne.

O’er Jacob shall He reign
With a peculiar sway;
The nations shall His grace obtain,
His kingdom ne’er decay.

To bring the glorious news
A heav’nly form appears;
He tells the shepherds of their joys,
And banishes their fears.

Go, humble swains, said he,
To David’s city fly;
The promised Infant born today
Doth in a manger lie.

With looks and hearts serene,
Go visit Christ your King;
And straight a flaming troop was seen:
The shepherds heard them sing:

Glory to God on high!
And heav’nly peace on earth;
Goodwill to men, to angels joy,
At the Redeemer’s birth!

In worship so divine,
Let saints employ their tongues;
With the celestial hosts we join,
And loud repeat their songs:

Glory to God on high!
And heav’nly peace on earth;
Goodwill to men, to angels joy,
At our Redeemer’s birth!

Hymns #42 - Child in the Manger

Child in the Manger

Child in the manger, Infant of Mary,
Outcast and Stranger, Lord of all,
Child who inherits all our transgressions,
All our demerits on Him fall.

Once the most holy Child of salvation
Gently and lowly lived below.
Now as our glorious mighty Redeemer,
See Him victorious o’er each foe.

Prophets foretold Him, Infant of wonder;
Angels behold Him on His throne.
Worthy our Savior of all our praises;
Happy forever are His own.