Songs, Hymns & Music for Christmas 1B (31 December 2023)

New Year's songs and hymns are here. 
Don't forget to sing some Christmas Songs and Carols - it's still Christmas!

Isaiah 61:10-62:3
A song of rejoicing - you could really sing just about anything....

• NCH107 / LBW633 / ELW242 / GtG107 / GC346 / GC(II)351 / G(3)423 / W&R160 / Cha138 / Lau157 Awake Awake and greet the new morn (Marty Haugen) Although this is usually sung in Advent, I think you could sing it in the Epiphany season. Lyrics, sound samples & sheet music.
• NCH164 / VU79 / StS030 / WoV652 / LBW652 / ELW314 / PH411 / GtG744 / W&R231 / URW138 Arise your light is come! (Ruth Duck) Good general words of Christ coming to bring justice; sung to the familiar tune ST. THOMAS (TiS 271). Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• TiS 224 / AHB 159 / TOSB004 / NCH304  / CH457 / UMH154/5 / VU334 / LBW328 / LBW329 /  ELW634 / A&M223 / HPP215 / PH142/3 / GtG263 / GC485 / GC(II)490 / G(3)570 / CP321/2 / CP(E)163 / W&R100/106 / Cha091 / Cha092 / Srce9 / 82Hml-450 / StF342 / Lau323 / MP013 All hail the power of Jesus' name (Edward Perronet) Maybe this would work; most versions are not very inclusive. I love the tune DIADEM, but maybe the words are too obscure for people who haven't grown up in the church... Might need some words of introduction? I think if you're going to use this reading, then you may as well sing something like this one. Sound sample (YouTube). Lyrics. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• Traditional / ATA 124 / SLW42 / UMH494 / GtG472 / PH338 / W&R487 / Cha590 / PfAS079A Kumbaya, my Lord (South Carolina Creole Song) I think this song is really beautiful sometimes. Sometimes it’s really awful too, unfortunately. If we sing this as a song from an enslaved community seeking the presence of God, it is much more meaningful than if we sing it as a 1960s folk song. My thoughts and some helpful links.
• VU699 / GtG772 / PH332 Live into hope of captives freed (Jane Parker Huber) Excellent words to the familiar tune TRURO. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource / Tune In / NCYC '07 Forgive us now (Dave Brown) This is one of the best songs seeking forgiveness that I know. Free downloadable songbook. "Forgive us now, O mother love for all the idols we have built, For all the time we’ve worshiped there in company of dark despair. Forgive us mother of all hope”.
• Online Resource / AoVK-124 Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth (Nathaniel Ford) A fun three part song. I found it hard to find a song that would be appropriate for kids for this reading, but thought that the idea of not keeping silent, and speaking out might be a good theme. Perhaps this song would fit. Sound sample, sheet music sample and purchasing options. Good for kids. 
• StJ / GC(II)670 / G(3)772 How Can We Be Silent? (Michael Mahler) An energetic song about speaking up about the good news of Christ. The refrain can also be used as a round, so you could do both, or just use the refrain if you want something simple. Sound sample. Sheet music sample. Good for teenagers, or for kids if you use only the chorus.
• Online Resource / Tune In: All will finish well (Brown "You, in all our darkness, you offer peace.”…. a simple anthemic song of hope. Free downloadable songbook.

Psalm 148
All creation sings God's praise

• GWA023 Silver skeins of angel hair / Raise an Alleluia (Margaret McClarty) Beautiful words to be sung by a leader with the congregation joining on Alleluias and the chorus. Some Scottish words too! I am quite in love with the lightness and joy of it. Sound sample and lyrics (track 2).
  
• TiS 268 / AHB 224 / AoV1-170 / NCH132 / CH320 / UMH246 / VU59 / LBW039 / ELW267 / GA295 / HPP107 / PH040 / GtG134 / GC343 / GC(II)353 / G(3)437 / CP154 / CP(E) 57 / W&R179 / Cha143 / Srce399 / 82Hml-100 / Lau156 / StF330 / MP393 Joy to the world The Lord is come (Isaac Watts) It's Christmas! Sing Christmas carols! This one is especially good (even though it's not REALLY a Christmas Carol). Lyrics & sheet music.  Oldy-but-a-goody.
• AoV2-120 / AoVK-009 God Is Good let the sun and moon and stars say "God is Good" (Kathy Chan) Fun. Not easy, but probably worth the effort if you feel like learning something new, or giving your musicians a challenge. Lyrics. Sound sample. Good for kids (but I don't think it has to sound as childish as the sound sample).
• GtG018 / PfAS148E Hallelujah sing praise to your creator (Tilly Lubis)  Joyful words set to a traditional Indonesian melody (NYANYIKANLAH NYANYIAN BARU). GtG is more inclusive than PfAS.  Sound sample (youtube)
• TiS 715 / Srce2-112 Everything that has breath (Traditional Czech / trans. Eva Greig) A lovely simple round, set to the tune of "Ah poor bird". Would be a really nice relaxing start to worship. Good for kids. New words to old tunes
• PH274 O God of Earth and Space (Jane Parker Huber) Terrific words by Jane Parker Huber to a well known Jewish hymn tune (LEONI). "Wherever freedom reigns, where sin is overthrown, Where justice fused with mercy rules, there you are known. Give us the courage clear, to make the earth a home, For all to live in harmony, in Christ’s shalom." Highly recommended. lyrics.New words to old tunes
• TiS 281 / AHB 214 When God Almighty came to be one of us (Michael Hewlett) This is a great Christmas season song, particularly for Epiphany next week also. It’s also set to a very easy (and fun) tune to sing (URQUHART). I especially love verse 3 "Wise men, they called them, earnest astrologers, watching for meaning in the moving stars, science or fancy, learned or laughable, theirs was a vision that was brought to pass. Sing all you wise men, dance all the scientists whether your theories are false or true. God uses knowledge, God uses ignorance. God at his coming had a need of you". Lyrics.
• GtG017 Sing praise to God you heavens (Herman Stuempfle) A fairly standard paraphrase of the Psalm. I just love the singing planets, and the mountains thrusting skywards. Ah, it's a good'un. Oh, and the sheep. I like those singing sheep. Sheet music & lyrics. 
• ATW 422 / NCYC'99 And you sun and moon and stars (Canticle of Daniel) (Don Stewart) This is a big favourite in our congregation. It has wonderful energy and excellent lyrics. Lyric video.
  
• TiS 187 / AoV2-130 / CH149 / StS122 / A&M539 / SP247 Let all creation dance (Brian Wren) I just love the imagery of this one, and it's a very joyous and familiar hymn tune too. Lyrics  New words to old tunes.
• TiS 181 / AoV2-032 / GC(II)497 / G(3)577 / CP589 Come O God of all the earth / Sing Out Earth and Skies (Marty Haugen) A very joyful song for cantor and congregation, or small group and congregation; this is a big favourite in our church. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample.
• ATE 216 / Iona (SBL) / CH126 / StJ / PH472 / G(II)365 / GC527 / RS 671 / CP417 / W&R15 / StF042 O sing to the Lord / Cantai ao Senhor / Cantad al Señor (Traditional Brazilian) A good, fun and simple song that is easy to learn in Portuguese or Spanish too; note that not all versions are inclusive. Sheet music samples.  Good for kids.
• TiS 152 / NCH4 / UMH89 / VU232 / LBW551 / ELW836 / HPP22 / GtG611 / PH464 / GC529 / GC(II)520 / G(3)614 / CP425 / W&R59 / Cha002 / URW065 / 82Hml-376 Joyful joyful we adore thee (Henry van Dyke) Note that this hymn is not always very inclusive. I prefer more modern translations (e.g. TiS, VU, NCH, GC(II) ). Older version lyrics and tune sample. Oldy-but-a-goody.
• TiS 755 / ATA 196 / CH804 / VU884 / SFFS 2278 / A&M484 / HPP219 / GTG080 / CP662 / W&R710 / SP82 / Srcs830 / URW449 / Lau878 / STF487 / MP796  You shall go out with joy / The trees of the field (Stuart Dauermann and Steffi Rubins) This is a good hand clappy foot stomping song. Fun. Here's a dance you could do. Good for kids. Oldy-but-a-goody.

Galatians 4:4-7
Being adopted children of God

• Online Resource / TiS 465 / AHB 399 / ATA 115 / NCH279 / A&M271 / Iona (SBL) / CH116 / GA381 / Lau313 / StF004 Our God in heaven / Father in heaven / Loving Creator grant to your children (Daniel T Niles / Elena Maquiso) I really like this hymn, especially the Philippino folk melody to which it's set. Newer versions of the hymn from the Christian Conference of Asia have altered the lyrics to "Our God in heaven / Creator God" in the first verse. Other versions, such as CH4 have "Loving Creator / Parent and God". Older style lyrics, sheet music and sound samples.
  
• TiS 417 / AoV2-133 / ATW 448 / VU387 / StJ / WoV683 / ELW397 / AA94 / HPP237 / GtG293 / PH323 / CP657 / W&R135 / Cha244 / URW203 / StB220 / VF051 Loving Spirit, Loving Spirit (Shirley Murray). There are about a zillion tunes set for this. I prefer FELICITY (by Colin Gibson TiS 417), but also like RESTORATION and OMNI DIE. Lyrics are here. New words to old tunes.
• MV157 I am a child of God (Bruce Harding) A simple song with powerful words. Good for kids and adults alike. Very easy to learn. Lyric video. Good for kids.
• CH329 / AA108 / CoC33 O little Love who comes again / Peace Carol (Shirley Murray) A lovely gentle and thoughtful Christmas song, which would also work for Epiphany and the Christmas season. It fits well with this reading. Lyrics.
• Online Resource / TiS 303 / AHB 227 / AoV1-171 / NCH144 / CH301 / UMH240 / VU048 / LBW060 / ELW270 / GA294 / HPP123 / PH031 / GtG119 / GC348 / GC(II)356 / G(3)424  / CP138 / CP(E) 53 / W&R185 / Cha150 / ZSS62 / Srce202 / 82Hml-087 / Lau155 Hark the herald angels sing (Charles Wesley)  One of those carols that we sing pretty much every year at Brunswick.  Lyrics, sheet music and sound sample. Oldy-but-a-goody.

Luke 2:22-40
Jesus presented to Anna and Simeon

• Online Resource Great Eastern star igniting skies (Hannah Brown) Poetic words starting with the star and the child, passing through crucifixion to resurrection. Sung to the shape note tune KEDRON, which I love, but will need to be taught to most congregations. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options. New words to old tunes.
• Peter Gador-Whyte Nunc Dimittis (Peter Gador-Whyte) This Uniting church minister has written a really nice setting of the Nunc Dimittis – it has a cantor line and a very simple refrain, which congregations will pick up very easily. If you don't have a singer who can act as cantor, a reader can also be used, with the congregation joining together in the refrain after each line is read. Christopher Willcock has written a nice accompaniment. I don't know how to get it, but maybe you are lucky and have a copy?
• Online Resource / G(II)562 / GC776 / GC(II)767 / G(3)874 / URW027 Now Let Your Servant Go (Ruth Duck) Excellent words present the Nunc Dimittis to a familiar chant tune. If you have a non-chanting congregation, just use the tune for "Creator of the stars of night" (NCH 111) which is an adapted chant and no-one will ever suspect that they were chanting. Lyrics, sheet music sample and purchasing options.
• GtG148 / StF229 Mary and Joseph came to the temple (Andrew Pratt) A song about Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to the temple to meet Anna and Simeon. The tune will need to be taught, but is not terribly hard. Or you could sing it to the more familiar tune BUNESSAN. Lyric video (set to BUNESSAN). New words to old tunes.
• TiS 733 / VU903 / PH604 / 82Hml-499 Lord God you now have set your servant free (Rae Whitney) A very straightforward and traditional blessing based on this reading. Lyrics.
  
• SP&P207 Now you are releasing your servant (Christopher Grundy) A more modern Nunc Dimittis. This will need to be taught, because the timing is a little tricky. Sound sample (scroll down).
• Online Resource The old ones among us (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette) This song honouring our elders is set to CRADLE SONG - the tune for Away in a Manger. Lyrics. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource Night and Day praying and watching / Anna of Asher (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A lovely song about Anna of Asher and her life of faith, and singing of praise. Probably more a song that you can invite your congregation to listen to, and to join in on the chorus as they get to know it. Lyrics, Youtube video with lyrics, sheet music packages for purchase.
• Online Resource Holy One, Now Let Your Servants (Richard Bruxvoort-Colligan) A nice sending out song that picks up the song of Simeon. Probably too tricky for a congregation to sing the first time they hear it, but perhaps your musicians can play it. Sound sample, lyrics and source.
• AoV2-125 / ATA 132 Lift this child to the sun (Anna's song) (Norm Habel / Robin Mann) We used to sing this a fair bit at baptisms. It would be nice to sing it for this story too (even more appropriate, really). Lyrics here.
• TiS 324 / GtG545 / AHB 248 / PH603 / PfAS1051 / URW024 Lord bid your servant go in peace (James Quinn) Inclusive save for the last verse which is a Trinitarian blessing. Familiar American folk tune (LAND OF REST). Lyrics can be found here in an order of worship. It could also be sung to the tune MORNING SONG (Awake awake to love and work) - just the first four lines of the tune. New words to old tunes.
• Taizé / URW385 Let your servant now go in peace / Nunc Dimittis (Jacques Berthier) Very simple and straightforward. Sound sample.
  
• URW026 Now Lord you have kept your word (Hal Hopson) Fun arrangement, with a simple chant by the congregation singing "Go now in peace" on the same two tones while a cantor sings the Nunc Dimittis over the top. I think this would be worth the effort - even better if you can teach the congregation more than just the melody line of the chant. Lyrics.
  
• Iona (T1AU) / MV166 / URW425 Jesus Christ Jesus Christ son of God among us (John Bell) A simple short song. Good for the Christmas season. Sound sample. Good for kids.
• TiS 526 / AHB 451 / A&M712 / CP(E) 505 / StF594 / Lau772 / MP435 Lord Jesus Christ you have come to us (Patrick Appleford) The second verse is particularly appropriate. I haven't sung this for ages; not sure why. Lyrics.
• CH333 Now Lord according to your word (Scottish paraphrases) Pretty standard old fashioned paraphrase to a familiar tune (LAND OF REST). Sound sample. New words to old tunes.
• Online Resource O God now let your servant depart in peace (Greg Scheer) A peaceful lilting Nunc Dimittis; not immediately easy for a congregation to sing, but it's lovely. Sheet music, lyrics and sound sample. Thanks Tim Larson for this suggestion (back in 2011!)

What songs will you be singing? I'd love to hear your ideas! Please add them in a comment below.