(based on the carol, ‘In the bleak mid-winter’ by Christina Rosetti)

In the bleak mid-winter
all is cold,
troubles biting, bitter –
Love foretold
God is coming bringing light,
comfort and release
to lives cold as winter
He sent peace.

In the wintery bleakness
where is joy?
sorrow, hardness, weakness
– a baby boy,
God is coming as foretold
the miracle will be
he’ll redeem from bleakness,
set us free.

Those who’d heard with patience
wait amid
sorrows of all nations,
but God did
come as promised touching hearts,
for Christ paid,
now imparts redemption,
life and aid.

Tune: Cranham by Gustav Holst (irregular) tune of ‘In the bleak mid-winter’ by Christina Rosetti. on which this is slightly based.

Promised long ago in Eden,
One to quash the devil’s scheme,
One to save the sons of Adam
– from rebellion to redeem.

Promised then to Israel’s nation,
to await, prepare in faith,
telling out to other peoples
– ‘Saviour comes for all the earth’.

Prophets warned them when they wandered
from their God’s good, holy ways
– always some were faithful, constant
waiting for redemption’s days.

In the East some expectation
of a coming King – some gaze,
noticing the special star that
over Israel shone, ablaze.

Tune: 87 87 trochaic

“No room in the inn” –
no room in the clutter,
the litter and glitter,
the whirling of life, for Him;

with battering, jetting
and fluttering, flitting
no free space to find
in minutes or mind –

the time to de-clutter
and quit all the tatters
of things that don’t matter,
… to find something better?

Make room in the schedule
for His role and rule
and peace – welcome goal:
Come to me, I’ll hear,
Come near and come in, my King.

Joy to the world – not just a day
of happiness each year,
not just a short-lived time of play,
an answer to all fear,
an answer to all fear,
an answer to all fear.

Angels announced and shepherds heard,
and went to Bethlehem.
They found the child, and spread the word –
amazement followed them,
amazement followed them,
amazement followed them.

Joy to the world, don’t be deceived
to spurn the gift of joy.
And all who have this gift received
know it’s no childish toy,
know it’s no childish toy,
know it’s no childish toy.

this is based on the song ‘Joy to the world’ by Isaac Watts, tune by Handel

The Star of the story
was not in the sky,
– though veiled now his glory,
this Babe born to die
had come from the place where
his honour was great –
though welcomed by some here,
King Herod would hate.

The Babe in the manger
like others would grow,
but teach of great danger,
and truth he would show.
Sent here by the Father
to rescue, redeem,
and never another
like him – He’s supreme.

The Star of our history
who owns everything,
one day his great glory
with him he will bring
and show why he came here
as babe long ago,
our nature, our flesh share
that Him we might know.
Tune: 11 11 11 11 eg Away in a Manger

The child will be Wonderful,
miraculous, Counsellor:
true, kind and wisdom-ful,
a powerful Comforter.

The child will be God, the Son,
the governing Prince of Peace;
eternal, from heaven he’d come –
his kingdom will spread, increase.

A Father’s protective care,
good Shepherd who will redeem,
our follies and sins he’ll bear,
and Light in the darkness beam.

No babe in Bethlem,
the manger’s bare,
the cross is empty –
he is not there:
he’s gone to heaven
from where he sees
and hears and guides us,
and holds death’s keys.

So call out to him
that he prepare
a home there for you,
but meet you here,
send down his Spirit
to grace impart,
and be your Guest now
within your heart.

Tune: 54 54D eg ‘Have thine own way, Lord’