See Amid The Winter's Snow

See amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on earth below,
See, the Lamb of God appears,
Promised from eternal years:

Hail, thou ever-blessed morn;
Hail Redemption's happy dawn;
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who, throned in height sublime,
Sits amid the cherubim:
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn...

Say, ye holy shepherds, say,
What your joyful news today;
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountains steep?
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn...

As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light;
Angels singing Peace on earth
Told us of a Saviour's birth:
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn...

Sacred infant, all divine,
What a tender love was Thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this:
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn...

Teach, O teach us, Holy Child,
By Thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy sweet humility:
Hail, thou ever-blessed morn...

As With Gladness Men Of Old

As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious God, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped,
Saviour, to Thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before
Him who heaven and earth adore,
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy-seat.

As they offered gifts most rare
At Thy cradle rude and bare,
So may we with holy joy,
Pure, and free from sin's alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our Heavenly King.

Holy Jesus, everyday
Keep us in the narrow way;
And, when earthly things are past,
Bring our ransomed soul at last
Where they need no star to guide,
Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

In the heavenly country bright
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun, which goes not down.
There for ever may we sing
Hallelujahs for our King.

In the Bleak Mid-Winter

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter,
Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him,
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign;
In the mid bleak-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air;
But His mother only
In her maiden bliss
Worshiped the Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a Shepherd,
I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man,
I would do my part,
Yet what can I give Him -
Give my heart.

Away in a Manger, No Crib for a Bed

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay -
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
Close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night

While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground,
The Angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around.

'Fear not,' said he (for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled minds),
'Glad tidings of great joy I bring
To you and all mankind.

'To you in David's town this day
is born of David's line
A Saviour, who is Christ the Lord -
And this shall be the sign:

'The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands,
And in the manger laid.'

Thus spake the Seraph, and forthwith
Appeared of a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:

'All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Goodwill henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease.'

Hark! the Herald-angels Sing

Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born king,
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumphs of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a Virgin's womb!
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see!
Hail, the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as Man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.

Hail, the Heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings.
Mild, He lay His glory by,
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald-angels sing
Glory to the new-born King.

My Faith Looks Up To Thee

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Saviour divine!
Now hear me while I pray;
take all my guilt away;
O let me from this day
be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire;
as Thou hast died for me,
O may my love to Thee,
pure, warm and changeless be,
a living fire.

While life's dark maze I tread
and griefs around me spread,
be Thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow's tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from Thee aside.

When ends life's transient dream,
when death's cold sullen stream
shall o'er me roll,
blest, Saviour, then, in love,
fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above,
a ransomed soul.

Ray Palmer 1808 - 87

Pass me not, O Gentle Saviour

Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
hear my humble cry;
while on others Thou art calling,
do not pass me by.

Saviour! Saviour!
hear my humble cry,
and while others Thou art calling,
do not pass me by.

Let me at a throne of mercy
find a sweet relief;
kneeling there in deep contrition,
help my  unbelief.

Trusting only in Thy merit
would I seek Thy face;
heal my wounded, broken spirit,
save me by Thy grace.

Thou the spring of all my comfort,
more than life to me,
whom have I on earth beside Thee,
whom in heaven but Thee?

Frances Jane Van Alstyne 1820 - 1915

O For A Thousand Tongues Songs to Sing

O for a thousand tongues songs to sing
my great redeemers praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honours of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears,
'tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He set the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and listening to His voice,
new life the dead receive,
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold your Saviour come,
and leap, ye lame for joy.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
your God, ye fallen race;
look, and be saved through faith alone,
be justified by grace.

Charles Wesley 1707 - 88

I Hear Thy Welcome Voice

I hear Thy welcome voice
that calls me, Lord, to Thee,
for cleansing in Thy precious blood
that flowed on Calvary.

I am coming, Lord,
coming now to Thee:
wash me, cleanse me, in the blood
that flowed on Calvary.

Though coming weak and vile,
Thou dost my strength assure;
Thou dost my vileness fully cleanse,
till spotless all and pure.

'Tis Jesus calls me on
to perfect faith and love,
to perfect hope, and peace and trust,
for earth and heaven above.

'Tis Jesus who confirms
the blessed work within,
by adding grace to welcomed grace,
where reigned the power of sin.

All hail, atoning blood!
All hail, redeeming grace!
All hail, the gift of Christ our Lord,
our strength and righteousness!

Lewis Hartsough, 1828 - 1919

For Your Gift of God the Spirit

For Your gift of God the Spirit,
power to make our lives anew,
pledge of life and hope of glory,
Saviour, we would worship You.
Crowning gift of resurrection
sent from Your ascended throne,
fullness of the very Godhead,
come to make your life our own.

He who in creation's dawning
brooded on the lifeless deep,
still across our nature's darkness
moves to wake our souls from sleep,
moves to stir, to draw, to quicken,
thrusts us through the sense of sin;
brings to birth and seals and fills us -
saving Advocate within.

He, Himself the living author,
wakes to life the sacred Word,
reads with us the holy pages,
and reveals our risen Lord.
He it is who works within us,
teaching rebel hearts to pray;
He whose holy intercessions,
rise for us both night and day.

He, the mighty God, indwells us;
His to strengthen, help, empower;
His to overcome the tempter,
ours to call in danger's hour.
In His strength we dare to battle
all the raging hosts of sin,
and by Him alone we conquer
foes without and foes within.

Margaret Clarkson, 1915 - 2008

Joy to the world! the Lord is come!

Joy to the world! the Lord is come!
let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare Him room,
and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns!
let men their songs employ;
while fields and floods, rock, hills, and plains,
repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrow grow,
nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessing flow,
far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of His righteousness
the wonders of His love.

Isaac Watts 1674 - 1748

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus name.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
in every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His cov'nant, and His blood,
support me in the whelming flood;
when all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found!
clothed in His righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne.

Edward Mote 1797-1874

Just as I am, Without One Plea

Just as I am, without one plea
but that Thy blood was shed for me,
and Thou that bidd'st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within without,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, and blind:
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, and relieve;
because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am - Thy love unknown
has broken every barrier down -
now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love
the breadth, length,  depth, and height to prove,
here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Charlotte Elliot, 1789 - 1871

Jesus, I will Trust Thee

Jesus, I will trust Thee,
trust Thee with my soul;
guilty, lost, and helpless,
Thou canst make me whole:
there is none in heaven
or on earth like Thee:
Thou hath died for sinners -
therefore, Lord, for me.

Jesus, I must trust Thee,
pondering Thy ways,
full of love and mercy
all Thine earthly days:
sinners gathered around Thee,
lepers sought Thy face;
none too vile or loathsome
for a Saviour's grace.

Jesus, I can trust Thee,
trust Thy written Word,
though Thy voice of pity
I have never heard:
when Thy Spirit teacheth;
to my taste how sweet!
Only may I hearken;
sitting at Thy feet.

Jesus, I do trust Thee,
trust without a doubt;
whosoever cometh
Thou wilt not cast out:
faithful is Thy promise,
precious is Thy blood:
these my soul's salvation,
Thou My Saviour God!

Mary Jane Walker, 1816-78

All That I was, My Sin, My Guilt

All that I was, my sin, my guilt,
my dealt was all my own;
all that I am I owe to Thee,
my gracious God, alone.

The evil of my former state
was mine, and only mine;
the good in which I now rejoice
is Thine, and only Thine.

The darkness of my former state,
the bondage - all was mine
the light of life in which I walk,
the liberty is Thine.

Thy grace first made me feel my sin,
and taught me to believe;
then, in believing, peace I found,
and now in Christ I live.

All that I am while here on earth,
all that I hope to be,
when Jesus comes and glory dawns,
I owe it, Lord, to Thee.

Horatius Bonar, 1808-89

Our God, Our Help in Ages Past

Our God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home;

Beneath the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is Thy arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting Thou hath God,
to endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all his sons away;
they fly forgotten as a dream
dies at the opening day.

Our God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be Thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.

Isaac Watts, 1974-1748

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of Creation;
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation;
all ye who hear,
brothers and sisters, draw near,
praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;
ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
who with His love doth befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
biddeth them cease,
turneth their fury to peace,
whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness and sin are abounding,
who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,
sheddeth his light
chaseth the horrors of night,
saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
sound from His people again:
gladly for aye we adore Him.

Joachim Neander, 1650-80

And Can It Be That I Should Gain

And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For Him, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that Thou, my God, should die for me?

'Tis misery all! the Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine!
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore
let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father's throne above -
so free, so infinite His grace -
emptied Himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's hepless race:
'tis mercy all, immense and free;
for, O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine!
bold I approach the eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Charles Wesley, 1707 - 1788.

There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood

There is a fountain filled with blood
drawn from Immanuel's veins;
and sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoices to see
that fountain in His day;
and there have I, so vile as he,
washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
shall never lose its power,
till all the ransomed church of God,
be saved to sin no more.

E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
redeeming love has been my theme,
and shall be till I die.

Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I'll sing Thy power to save,
when this poor lisping, stammering tongue,
lies silent in the grave.

William Cowper 1731 - 1800

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross,
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ my God:
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down;
did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a rob,
spreads o'er His body on the tree:
then am I dead to all the globe,
and all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts, 1674 - 1748

Come To The Waters, Whoever Is Thirsty

Come to the waters, whoever is thirsty
drink from the fountain that never runs dry.
Jesus, the Living One, offers you mercy,
life more abundant in boundless supply.

Come to the River that flows through the city,
forth from the throne of the Father and Son;
Jesus the Saviour says, 'Come and drink deeply.'
Drink from the pure, inexhaustible One.

Come to the Fountain without any money;
buy what is given without any cost:
Jesus, the Gracious One, welcomes the weary;
Jesus, the selfless One, died for the lost.

Come to the Well of unmerited favour;
stretch out your hands, fill your cup to the brim;
Jesus is such a compassionate Saviour;
draw from the grace that flows freely from Him.

Come to the Saviour, the God of salvation.
God has provided an end  to sin's strife.
Why will you suffer the law's condemnation?
Take the free gift of the water of life.

We Sing The Praise of Him Who Died

We sing the praise of Him who died,
of Him who died upon the cross;
the sinners hope let men deride,
for this we count the world but loss.

Inscribed upon the cross we see,
in shining letters, 'God is love';
He bears our sins upon the tree;
He brings us mercy from above.

The cross! It takes our guilt away;
it holds the fainting spirit up;
it cheers with hope the gloomy day,
and sweetens every bitter cup.

It makes the coward spirit brave,
and nerves the feeble arm for fight;
it takes the terror from the grave,
and gilds the bed of death with life;

The balm of life, the cure of woe,
the measure and the pledge of love,
the sinner's refuge here below,
the angels' theme in heaven above.

Thomas Kelly, 1769 - 1855.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us

How deep the Father's love for us,
how vast beyond all measure,
that He should give His only Son
to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss;
the father turns His face away,
as wounds which mar the chosen One
bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,
my sins upon His shoulders,
ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life;
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
no gifts, no power, no wisdom;
but I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer,
but this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Stuart Townend, b. 1963.

All You That Fear Jehovah's Name

All you that fear Jehovah's name,
His glory tell, His praise proclaim;
you children of His chosen race,
stand now in awe before his face,
stand now in awe before his face.

The suffering one He has not spurned,
who unto Him for help has turned;
from him He has not hid His face,
but answered his request in grace,
but answered his request in grace.

O Lord, your goodness makes me raise,
amid Your people songs of praise;
before all them that fear you, now,
I worship You and pay my vow,
I worship You and pay my vow.

For all the meek You will provide,
they shall be fed and satisfied;
all they that seek the Lord shall live,
and never  ending praises give,
and never ending praises give.

The Lord's unfailing righteousness,
all generations shall confess;
from age to age shall men be taught,
what wondrous works the Lord has wrought,
what wondrous works the Lord has wrought.

The Psalter, 1912