Each winter as the year grows older,
we each grow older too.
The chill sets in a little colder;
the verities we knew
seem shaken and untrue.

When race and class cry out for treason,
when sirens call for war,
They over shout the voice of reason
and scream till we ignore
all we held dear before.

Yet I believe beyond believing,
that life can spring from death;
That growth can flower from our grieving;
that we can catch our breath
and turn transfixed by faith.

So even as the sun is turning
to journey to the north,
The living flame, in secret burning,
can kindle on the earth
and bring God’s love to birth.

O Child of ecstasy and sorrows,
O Prince of peace and pain,
Brighten today’s world by tomorrow’s,
renew our live again;
Lord Jesus, come and reign!


Carol of Hope, William and Annabeth Gay, ©1971, United Church Press

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
With wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame:
"All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

"For know a blessed mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honor thee;
Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;
"To me be as it pleaseth God," she said.
"My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name."
Most highly favored lady." Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk through-out the world will ever say:
"Most highly favored lady." Gloria!


The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
By: Basque carol, para. Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924

Iordanis oras praevia
Vox ecce Baptistae quatit:
Praeconis ad grandes sonos
Ignavus abscedat sopor.

Auctoris adventum sui
Tellus et aetheret mare
Praegestiente sentiunt
Et iam salutant gaudio.

Mundemus et nos pectora:
Deo propinquanti viam
Sternamus, et dignam domom
Tanto praemus hospiti.

Tu nostra iu, Iesu salus;
Tu robur et solatium:
Arens ut herba, te sine
Mortale tabescit genus.

Aegris salutarem manum
Extende; pprostratos leva;
Ostende vutum; iam suus
Mundo reflorescet decor.

Qui leberator advenis,
Fii tibi laus maxima
Cum Patre et almo Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.

Iordanis oras praevia
Charles Coffin 1736

Veni, veni Emanuel!
Captivum solve Israel!
Qui gemit in exilio,
Privatus Dei Filio.


Refrain


Gaude, gaude, Emanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.


Veni, veni o oriens!
Solare nos adveniens,
Noctis depelle nebulas,
Dirasque noctis tenebras.


Refrain


Veni, veni Adonai!
Qui populo in Sinai
Legem dedisti vertice,
In Maiestate gloriae.


Refrain