O little town of Bethlehem – lyrics for today Carols with Justice, Simple Living Works Verse 1: Phillips Brooks, 1868 Verse 2: John Becker Verse 3: Rae E. Whitney There will be no Christmas tree or traditional festivities in the place of Jesus Christ’s birth this year in response to the thousands killed in the […]
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Tune: God rest you merry For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. To Bethlehem, a stable bare, We journey to behold The baby born to change the world. The story has been told. He brings the lonely to his side. He makes the timid bold. O Tidings of comfort and joy Comfort […]
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The tune is ‘Davos’ by Michael Baughen, used by Timothy Dudley-Smith for his hymn, ‘I lift my eyes to the quiet hills’. It’s a challenging tune, but the words do fit. I see a star And a stable bare And a baby a mother lays On manger hay On Christmas Day This baby Emanuel An […]
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A Carol for Advent and Christmas Tune: O Holy Night Light showers down, the darkness cannot conquer A hope now dawns and the world has a chance Peace filters in, the hope of God appearing In a form that we don’t understand A baby born to save and to redeem us As heaven stoops to […]
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At the Manger Tune: Cradle Song New words for ‘Away in a Manger’ For printable lyrics and music click here. Visit George’s website here to discover several modern Christmas Carols set to familiar tunes. Away in the manger, no pillow or bed, The baby boy Jesus is born in a shed; The stars in the […]
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A Christmas Carol for today Tune: Cranham – original words: Christina Rossetti Photo by Carol Kreis, USA In this bleak pandemic, lonely and afraid City streets are empty, gatherings delayed Snow has fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, Oh this bleak pandemic, how long will it stay? Once there was a stable, in a […]
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A Christmas Carol for Today Tune: The Ash Grove The birth of a baby Can kindle just maybe A spark of compassion for all humankind. At Christmas we wonder, Amazed as we ponder A sight that stirs love in our heart and our mind. A babe so dependent, A human descendant, So fragile and helpless […]
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Tune: Christmas Morn, 7.6 7.6 D meter (Christmas Morn by Edward John Hopkins) Our summer Christmas season is when we sing with joy About some loving parents and of their baby boy; We sing when we remember the miracle of birth With all its pain and beauty – the dawn of wondrous worth. With thanks […]
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Written for Advent (Third Sunday of Advent Year A; Second Sunday of Advent Year B) Tune: Cecilia (6.6.6.6) A desert voice rings out to bring the faithful near; a voice that’s firm and strong, a call that’s loud and clear. A voice that rings with truth reminds us how we fall but lifts us up […]
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Las Posadas, a Mexican Advent tradition stretches from 16 December through Christmas, during which actors depict Mary and Joseph looking for lodging. They travel throughout the town or city, followed by a procession of children and other members of the community carrying candles. A song is traditionally sung at each ‘inn’ along the way. Las Posadas — Jim Burklo, […]
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Written on the occasion of an Angel Festival in Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK Angels from the realms of glory Wing your flight around this place, You who sang creations story, Bless our festival / [worship here] with grace Gloria…. In excelsis deo All who seek communication With humanity that cares, Turn your mobiles off […]
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Simple Living provides lyrics for Christmas Carols with Justice. The verses blend traditional and bold progressive language. They are easy to use and bring the real world into Christmas. “Jesus’ birth has taken on much cultural significance as a celebration of good will, warm feelings and excessive consumerism. These new stanzas help to connect his birth […]
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