Words: , 2007, in­spired by a tra­di­tion­al Engl­ish car­ol:

Dedicated to Mar­tha Free­man & La­vern Hol­de­man of Com­mun­i­ty Co­ve­nant Church,
Oma­ha, Ne­bras­ka, in cel­e­bra­tion of Pas­tor Ap­pre­ci­a­tion Month & the church’s 20th an­ni­ver­sa­ry.

Music: Llang­loffan, Welsh mel­o­dy, from Hymn­au a Thon­au, by D. Ev­ans, 1865.



When Joseph went with Mary
To David’s royal town,
With travelling were they weary,
Yet lodging not they found;
They searched the city over,
At every inn did call;
“No room,” they heard, and time again,
So stayed in oxen’s stall.

No palace fit for royal birth,
No purple robes disclose;
The King of Glory, come from Heav’n,
A lowly manger chose;
Our Savior and Redeemer,
In swaddling clothes entwined,
The Babe whose life would be the price
To rescue lost mankind.

While shepherds flocks were watching,
And sleeping in the field,
Announcement of Immanuel’s birth
Was suddenly revealed;
A sun-bright shining angel,
Said, “Fear not, I am here
To bring glad tidings of great joy,”
But shepherds shook with fear.

“Shake off your fears and listen—
Lo, you have cause to sing!
Here in the town of David
Tonight is born a King;
For God so loved the world that
He sent His only Son;
Who places faith in Him alone
Eternal life has won.”

While shepherds wondered at the news
Then glorious hosts appear,
Proclaiming, “Glory, peace on earth,
The Savior now is near;
No longer be a stranger,
He waits for you this night;
Go see the Prince in manger straw
In royal stable bright.”

They hastened unto Bethlehem,
With eagerness did go,
They found the Child in swaddling clothes,
Amazed that it was so;
Like them, do not reject Him,
Nor spurn that gracious call,
From One who came to earth for us,
The price to pay for all.