We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth

This Christmas hymn from Lutheran Service Book is a translation of Luther's text (st. 2-7) (Stanza 1 is German c. 1380.)  Multiple translators worked in this text for Lutheran Service Book (LSB 382) including Gregory Wismar, st. 1, 6;  F. Samuel Janzow, st. 2, 4;  Lutheran Service Book st, 3, 5, 7.  The tune is GELOBET SEIST DU from Eyn Enchiridion oder Handbeuchlein, Erfurt, 1524.

1.  We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth;
     Clothed in flesh You came to earth.
          The virgin bears a sinless boy
          And all the angels sing for joy.
               Alleluia!

2.  Now in the manger we may see
     God's Son from eternity,
          The gift from God's eternal throne
          Here clothed in our poor flesh and bone.
               Alleluia!

3.  The virgin Mary's lullaby
     Calms the infant Lord Most High.
          Upon her lap content is He
          Who keeps the earth and sky and sea.
               Alleluia!

4.  The Light Eternal, breaking through,
     Made the world to gleam anew;
          His beams have pierced the core of night,
          He makes us children of the light.
               Alleluia!

5.  The very Son of God sublime
     Entered into earthly time
          To lead us from this world of cares
          To heav'ns courts as blessed heirs.
               Alleluia!

6.  In poverty He came to earth
     Showing mercy by His birth;
          He makes us rich in heav'nly ways
          As we, like angels, sing His praise.
               Alleluia!

7.  All this for us our God has done
     Granting love through His own Son.
          Therefore, all Christendom, rejoice
          And sing His praise with endless voice.
               Alleluia!

The Holly and the Ivy

This is one of my favorite English traditional Christmas carols.  I like how the writer ties in images of the Passion in this text.  Thus, the reason for Christ's coming is still in the background at the celebration of His birth...still preaching Christ crucified "to do poor sinners good."

1.  The holly and the ivy,
     When they are both full grown,
     Of all the trees that are in the wood,
     The holly bears the crown.
        O, the rising of the sun,
        And the running of the deer,
        The playing of the merry organ,
        Sweet singing in the choir.


2.  The holly bears a blossom
     As white as the lily flower;
     And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
     To be our sweet Savior.
        O, the rising of the sun,
        And the running of the deer,
        The playing of the merry organ,
        Sweet singing in the choir.


3.  The holly bears a berry
     As red as any blood;
     And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
     To do poor sinners good.
        O, the rising of the sun,
        And the running of the deer,
        The playing of the merry organ,
       Sweet singing in the choir.


4.  The holly bears a prickle
     As sharp as any thorn;
     And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
     On Christmas Day in the morn.
        O, the rising of the sun,
        And the running of the deer,
        The playing of the merry organ,
        Sweet singing in the choir.


5.  The holly bears a bark
     As bitter as any gall;
     And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
     For to redeem us all.
        O, the rising of the sun,
        And the running of the deer,
        The playing of the merry organ,
        Sweet singing in the choir.        

How, Before All Time Began

This Advent/Christmas/Epiphany text was written in 2005 and inspired by the tune ANGELUS AD VIRGINEM to which it is set.

1.  How, before all time began,
     Before the world's creation,
     Could the Lord conceive His plan
     Of mercy and salvation?
     Yet, from that high and timeless place,
     God chose to save our death-bound race:
     Emmanuel--as prophets tell the story
     In Scripture as we know,
     Would veil in flesh His glory
     And dwell with us below!

2.  To the darkness of our light
     And to our need descending,
     Came the Word as Light of Light
     Beyond our comprehending--
     Radiant within the virgin's womb;
     Dawning as day upon our gloom.
     Hail, Jacob's Star!  For all You are now shining
     Your beam of grace on earth,
     Your royal might confining
     Within such humble birth.

3.  As the presence of a king
     Brings honor to a city,
     Bethlehem, be glad and sing
     Your Sov'reign's tender pity;
     Join all the angels who rejoice;
     Let ev'ry creature raise its voice--
     Sing "Glory be to God!" For He is solely
     The God who comes to save
     And to our world unholy,
     The Prince of Peace He gave.

4.  Tarshish lords from distant shore,
     Come pay your tribute to Him;
     Kings of Sheba, kneel before
     The One with worship due Him.
     Rise up, O nations!  See!  Your Lord!
     Long may He live and be adored!
     Oh, may His fame and holy name, transcending
     Each name upon this sphere,
     Be sung with praise unending
     For love so pure and near!

Fight, Work, Pray!

I completed this text requested by a deaconess at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne for a hymn based on Luther's meditation and writing on the relationship between the Lord's Supper and works of mercy and care for our fellow human beings. ("Fight, Work, Pray!" is a pamphlet published by LCMS World Relief and Human Care with a preface by the Executive Director, Rev. Matthew C. Harrison.  The pamphlet reprints from Luther's Works, Vol. 35: "The Blessed Sacrament of the Holy and True Body of Christ, and the Brotherhoods" [1519] ).  The hymn text seeks to highlight aspects and benefits of the Sacrament empowering us to serve as Christ to the world today.  The meter, 3 4 9  3 4 6, matches the deeply moving tune by Amanda Husberg, CHILDREN OF PEACE.

1.  Fight, work, pray!
     Precious indeed
     Are all the masses huddled in need.
     Christ sends us
     Out with His love,
     For the life of the world.

2.  "Flesh and blood
     Given and shed
     Once on the cross so you may be fed;
     I in you,
     You now in Me
     For the life of the world."

3.  Mystery!
     How can it be?
     Saint bound to saint in true unity!
     One in Christ,
     One as His Church
     For the life of the world.

4.  Strengthen us,
     Lord, as we live:
     Pardoning others as You forgive.
     Bless our faith
     Active in love
     For the life of the world.

5.  I, Your guest,
     Frail though I be,
     Yet here Your life I taste and I see,
     As You give
     Heavenly gifts
     For the life of the world.

6.  All my debt
     You, Lord, have paid
     When on the cross atonement You made.
     Faith receives
     All You have done
     For the life of the world.

7.  What can I
     Render to You?
     True thanks and praise in all that I do;
     Fear, love, trust,
     Serve and obey,
     For the life of the world.

8.  Mercy known,
     Mercy received,
     Mercy now lived by all who believe.
     We are Christ's
     Body and voice
     For the life of the world!

Thine the Amen

I had the distinct privilege and honor of meeting Herbert Brokering in the fall of 2008 at Camp Arcadia on Lake Michigan for a worship forum led by Herb and Carl Schalk and Robert Rimbo.  Herb was energetic, witty and a true delight.  He approached hymn writing in a totally different way than I had ever thought of the craft and we had an opportunity to visit a few times at the forum in that lovely setting at Camp Arcadia.  He shared some of the tunes written by his late wife, Lois, one of which in particular, a tune written for Herb's text, EVERYTHING IS ONE, made a deep impression on me.  Probably my favorite text by Dr. Brokering is "Thine the Amen."  We sang it as our closing hymn this past All Saints' Day.  It is a "stream of consciousness" text with little punctuation.  Herb now sees his Savior face to face in the "wonder full surprise" of the eternal wedding banquet of the Lamb.  Thank you, Lord, for Herb!

Thine the amen

    Thine the praise

        alleluias

            angels raise

Thine the

    everlasting head

        Thine the breaking

            of the bread

Thine the glory

    Thine the story

        Thine the harvest

            then the cup

Thine the vineyard

    then the cup is

        lifted up

            lifted up.

Thine the life

    eternally

        Thine the promise

            let there be

Thine the vision

    Thine the tree

        all the earth

            on bended knee

Gone the nailing

    gone the railing

        gone the pleading

            gone the cry

Gone the sighing

    gone the dying

        what was loss

            lifted high.

Thine the truly

    Thine the yes

        Thine the table

            we the guest

Thine the mercy

    all from Thee

        Thine the glory

            yet to be

Then the ringing

    and the singing

        then the end

            of all the war

Thine the living

    Thine the loving

        evermore

            evermore.

Thine the kingdom

    Thine the prize

        Thine the wonder

            full surprise

Thine the banquet

    then the praise

        then the justice

            of Thy ways

Thine the glory

    Thine the story

        Then the welcome

            to the least

Then the wonder

    all increasing

        at Thy feast

            at Thy feast.

Thine the glory

    in the night

        no more dying

            only light

Thine the river

    Thine the tree

        Then the Lamb

            eternally

Then the holy

    holy holy

        celebration

            jubilee

Thine the splendor

    Thine the brightness

        only Thee

            only Thee.