A weekly blog of Creative Ideas for Leading Worship
11 — Two Christmas Offerings
Here are a simple round and a poem to use in worship during Advent.
They are included in my PDF eBook Kindle A Flame, a collection of songs, hymns and prayers.
Christmas Hallelujah
Halleluia, Christmas is coming.
Oh, let us praise the Lord.
Sing halleluia, welcome the Christ child,
Bringing hope for a peaceful world.
About this round
Sing unaccompanied.
The round works well in 2 or 4 parts. Start every two bars as indicated by the *.
I suggest that each part sings the melody 4 times through.
After teaching them the melody, you could ask one side of the congregation to start and then lead the other side of the congregation singing the second part.
The tune does not resolve in the last bar.
For me this symbolises that the work of the Christmas message never ends.
Downloads to help you learn the round
Click these links to download:
- An audio recording of our choir Festival Singers rehearsing the round in 4 parts
- midi file of the melody – once through single part
- midi file of the melody – four times through in two parts
- midi file of the melody – four times through in four parts
- mp3 file of the melody – once through single part
- mp3 file of the melody – four times through in two parts
- mp3 file of the melody – four times through in four parts
- Noteworthy Composer (2.75) setting
• • •
Christmas is Ours Again
Soft fall tears of joy
Down the face of the father
Smile now little boy
Warmed by your wondering mother
Love, hope, peace, joy
Christmas is ours again
Bright star, clear nights
Seen from far away
Journey in faith, no room for doubt
Kings bow to majesty
Love, hope, peace, joy
Christmas is ours again
You me, what do we say
Can an old story still move us?
Offer wise gifts with open hearts
Treasure the laughter and song
Love, hope, peace, joy
Christmas is ours again.
About this poem
This poem is an attempt to reclaim the power of the Nativity stories and to shift our focus at Christmas away from commerce to things that have lasting value.
Nga mihi
Philip
12 December 2024