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• This episode I talk about New Year’s resolutions, the likelihood that most of them have been broken by this juncture (three weeks in).
• I reference “Salad Bowl“, my parody about dieting, off of my “I Wanna Be Debated” album.
• There are two problems with most resolutions today:

1. Most resolutions are ME-centric, fueling your ego, facilitating pride, envy and greed.
2. Most resolutions are not properly set up so that you could find practical means to make them work.

• There is only ONE GOAL that should be on the forefront on every person’s mind, and that is we are all called to be a Saint.
• Most people are distracted in their day-to-day lives to actually consider thinking that Sainthood is for them, or that, with grace, it can actually be within their grasp.
• Some denominations believe that once one accepts a personal relationship with Jesus, that there’s nothing more to be done; I believe that such a relationship with Jesus is the beginning of understanding what God’s will is for one’s life, and then pursue it.
• Matthew 7:21 – the person who does the will of God is the one who gains entry into heaven.
• We have to balance our obligations for Family, Physical health, Mental health, Spiritual health, Financial shape, and Social Skill-sets.
• If we are lacking in any of the above areas, we find that we are shackled, to some degree, in preventing your full potential to being done.
• For example, if we commit to losing weight, it is not so that we are to become super-attractive and boost your ego; it is so that we are to be healthy enough and live a long life, so that we can fulfill God’s will for us in our life.
• It is natural to look back each year and probe how well you are doing in each of the six areas. At the end of each year, you are different from where you were at from the beginning of that same year.
• God can bring about His will even as you struggle to get your lives in order.
• The key to conquering resolutions is to look at your resolution through the eyes of how completing this resolution will assist you in fulfilling God’s will for you, thus, make you a Saint.

Episode Log Times
2:18 – Worship Session (Music and Prayer)
2:40 – Jesus, Lover of My Soul
7:22 – O Paradise!
10:40 – Lead Kindly Light
15:04 – Doing His Will / He Is Lord
20:25 – Entirely to Thee
23:27 – Omnis Terra
25:40 – Spoken, Spontaneous Prayer
31:45 – Song of the Week (“Rain” by Planetshakers)
37:38 – Personal Reflections (“New Year’s Resolutions”)
55:24 – Final Comments and Doxology

SONG OF THE WEEK
“Rain” by Planet Shakers Ministries
From the album “Limitless” (2012)
Copyright (c) 2012
******************SONGS*******************

JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL
Charles Wesley, Simeon B. Walsh
New arrangement by Nick Alexander

Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Your bosom fly
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storms of life be past
Safe into Your haven guide,
Lord receive my soul at last.

1. Other refuge, have I none, Lord
I hang my helpless soul on Thee
Please don’t leave me all alone, Lord
But support and comfort me.

2. Plenteous grace, with Thee, I’ve found, Lord
Grace to cleanse from ev’ry sin.
Let Your healing streams abound, Lord
Make and keep me pure, within.

All my trust is in Your stead
(All my help from Thee I cling)
Cover my defenseless head
(With the shadow of Your wing)
Lord, spring up within my heart;
(Rise to all eternity)
You’re the fountain; Let me drink of Thee!

Copyright (c) 2012 Nick Alexander Music

O PARADISE!
F.W. Faber

O Paradise ! O Paradise ! Who does not crave for rest?
Who would not seek the happy land, Where they that loved are blest.

Where loyal hearts and true stand ever in the light
All rapture thru and thru in God’s most holy sight

O Paradise ! O Paradise ! ‘Tis weary waiting here.
I long to be where Jesus is, to feel to see Him near.

O Paradise ! O Paradise ! I want to sin no more
I want to be as pure on earth, as on Thy spotless shore.

O Paradise ! O Paradise ! I greatly long to see
The special place my dearest Lord, In furnishing for me.

O Paradise ! O Paradise ! I feel ’twill not be long;
Patience! I almost think I hear Faint fragments of Thy song.

Public Domain

LEAD KINDLY LIGHT
Blessed John Henry Newman, J.B. Dykes 1823-76

Lead kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom
Lead thou me on.
The night is dark, and I am far from home
Lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene, one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path but now
Lead thou me on.
I loved the garish day and spite of fears.
Pride ruled my will; remember not past years.

So long Thy pow’r hath blest me sure it still
Will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er cragg and torrent till
The night is gone.
And with the morn, those angel faces smile.
Which I have loved, long since and lost awhile.

Public Domain

DOING HIS WILL
Mrs. C.H. Morris (1898)

Just to trust in the Lord, just to lean on His Word
Just to feel I am His ev’ry day
Just to walk by His side with His Spirit to guide
Just to follow where He leads the way.

Just to say what He wants me to say,
And be still when He whispers to me.
Just to go where He wants me to go
Just to be what He wants me to be.

When my way darkest seems, when are blighted my dreams, Just to feel that the Lord knows best;
Just to yield to His will, just to trust and be still
Just to lean on His bosom and rest.

Then my heart will be light, then my path will be bright
If I’ve Jesus for My dearest friend;
Counting all loss but gain, such a friend to obtain,
True and faithful He’ll be to the end.

Public Domain

HE IS LORD
Traditional

He is Lord, He is Lord;
He is risen from the dead and He is Lord
Ev’ry knee shall bow, ev’ry tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

Public Domain

ENTIRELY TO THEE
Nick Alexander and Ed Luchansky

I surrender all
Entirely to Thee
I pledge my life, my will
Entirely to Thee

I give unto Thee
All I am
Entirely to Thee
All I am.

For You know all my needs
And I know You will provide
And You show me,
You’ll never leave my side.

(Lord, You know…)

Copyright (c) Nick Alexander

OMNIS TERRA
Roman Gradual

Omnis terra adoret te, Deus, et psallat tibi
Psalmum dicat nomini tuo, Altissime.

All the earth shall adore Thee, O God
and sing unto Thee
Songs I’ll sing out unto the Name of Thine
O Most High.

Public Domain

Feel free to leave comments, questions, and/or prayer requests below or leave a message at 203/701-7771

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This episode revisits the tragedy of Newtown, one month later, and provides a worship session that can work as a balm, a comfort, for all who mourn.

Outside of Newtown, the worship here is applicable to anybody who has lost a loved one, and is looking for comfort. I am not perfect, I can only hope that this helps.

I get to share my experiences with leading a similar worship session, some twenty-plus years ago, when a college friend of mine had a relapse and was at death’s door.

The uncomfortable reminder that we must all be aware of is that heaven is our true home, is more glorious than anything we experience here on earth, and every choice we make today has to take into account whether we are that much closer to the finish line.

A PDF songsheet download is available for this episode.  Right-click here and select Save As…

Episode Log Times
4:46 – Worship Session (Music and Prayer)
5:20 – Just A Closer Walk With Thee
8:25 – All the Way My Saviour Leads Me
10:49 – No, Never Alone / His Yoke Is Easy (mashup)
12:55 – It Is Well With My Soul / All My Trials
16:55 – Come, Ye Disconsolate
19:53 – I Must Tell Jesus
24:40 – Lux Aeterna
26:26 – In Heavn’ly Love Abiding
29:10 – Spoken, Spontaneous Prayer
33:14 – Song of the Week (“There’s A Light” by Beth Nielsen Chapman)
39:33 – Personal Reflections
50:40 – Final Comments and Doxology

******************SONGS*******************
JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE
Unknown

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus if you please
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

I am weak but Thou art strong
Jesus, keep me from all wrong.
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Through this world of toils and snares
If I falter Lord, who cares?
Who, with me my burden shares?
Only Thee, dear Lord, only Thee.

When this troubled life is o’er
Time for me will be no more
Then guide me gently, safely o’er,
To Thy shore, dear Lord, to Thy shore.

Public Domain

ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOUR LEADS ME
Fanny Crosby, Robert Lowry

All the way my Saviour leads me,
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort
Here by faith in Him to dwell
For I know whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for ev’ry trial
Feeds me with the Living Bread
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be
Gushing from the Rock before me
Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Saviour leads me
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my Spirit clothed immortal
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song, through endless ages,
Jesus led me all the way.

Public Domain

NO, NEVER ALONE
Unknown

No, never alone. No, never alone.
He promised never to leave me;
He’ll claim me for His own.

No, never alone. No, never alone.
He promised never to leave me;
Never to leave me alone.

Public Domain

HIS YOKE IS EASY
Ralph E. Hudson

His yoke is easy, His burden light
I’ve found it so, I’ve found it so
He leadeth me by day and by night
Where living waters flow.

Public Domain

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
Horatio G Spafford & Philip P. Bliss

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll.
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
“It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

It is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight
The clouds, be rolled back as a scroll
The trumpet shall resound and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well, with my soul.

Public Domain

ALL MY TRIALS
Traditional

All my trials, Lord, soon be over.
All my trials, Lord, soon be over.

Public Domain

COME, YE DISCONSOLATE
St. Thomas Moore, Samuel Webbe

Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish
Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here, bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish;
Earth has no sorrows that heav’n cannot heal.

Joy of the desolate, Light of the straying
Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure!
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying
“Earth has no sorrows, that heav’n cannot cure.”

Here, see the Bread of Life, see waters flowing
Forth from the throne of God, pure from above.
Come to the Feast of love, come everknowing
Earth has no sorrows, but heav’n can remove.

Public Domain

I MUST TELL JESUS
Elisha A. Hoffman

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles
He is a kind, compassionate Friend
If I but ask Him, He will deliver
Make of my troubles quickly an end.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone.
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

Tempted and tried I need a great Saviour
One who can help my burdens to bear
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus
He all my cares and sorrows to bear.

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win.

Public Domain

LUX AETERNA
Roman Gradual

Lux aeterna luce at eis Domine
Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.
Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine
Et lux perpetua luce at eis.
Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.
Requiescant in pace. Amen.

Light eternal, shine upon them O Lord.
With the Saints of Thine, eternally, because Holy, Thou art.
Rest of eternity, grant unto them, O Lord.
And light perpetual shine upon them.
With the Saints of Thine, eternally, because Holy, Thou art.
Rest in peace. Amen.

Public Domain

IN HEAV’NLY LOVE ABIDING
Anna L Waring; A.H. Brown

In heav’nly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear
And safe is such confiding, for nothing changes hear.
The storm may roar without me, My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me and can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me, And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh His sight is never dim;
He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen
Bright skies will soon be o’er me, where the dark clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free;
My Saviour has my treasure, and He will walk with me.

Public Domain

The Song of the Week is “There’s A Light” by Beth Nielsen Chapman.
In this episode I sample versions sung by Ashley Cleveland, Emmylou Harris, and by the author.  All versions are available in iTunes.  Support your favorite artists.

Feel free to leave comments, questions, and/or prayer requests, below,
or leave a message at 203/701-7771

Follow Nick Alexander on Twitter: @NickAlexCath

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This episode lists my personal favorite new (to me) praise and worship songs that I had discovered in 2012.

Being that when this was recorded, we were still in the Christmas season (which many Christians celebrate until the Feast of the Epiphany, which this year is Jan 6), the episode begins with some worship based off of Christmas Carols.

Every song that made my countdown will have a snippet played, an examination of its lyrical content, a demonstration of how I would play it in a live setting, and my recommendations as to the best places to play these songs.

Each song that made the list is under copyright and thus I am unable to play any of these songs in their entirety on this podcast, until granted such by the copyright holders. But they are under CCLI (Christian copyright licensing incorporated); license holders have permission to display lyrics to these songs for their church services, youth groups, etc. To join CCLI, go to www.ccli.com.

A songsheet is available. Right-click to Download.

Episode Log Times
2:07 – Worship Session (Music and Prayer)
2:27 – Unam Petii a Domino (Chant from Roman Gradual)
4:44 – O Come All Ye Faithful/Angels we Have Heard mashup
9:21 – Silent Night
12:40 – Spoken, Spontaneous Prayer
18:21 – Top Ten List
19:29 – #10 – Sometimes / Where I Belong (mashup)
25:51 – #9 – God I Look to You
29:16 – #8 – Behold Our God
34:34 – #7 – The Everlasting
38:57 – #6 – One Thirst and Hunger
43:30 – #5 – When the Stars Burn Down
48:12 – #4 – Lay Me Down
54:46 – #3 – From Glory to Glory
59.22 – #2 – 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
1:02:41 – #1 – O The Blood
1:08:30 – Final Comments and Doxology

******************SONGS*******************

UNAM PETII A DOMINO
Roman Gradual

Unam petii a Domino, hanc requiram:
ut inhabitem in domo Domini omnibus diebus vitae meae.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, this I will seek;
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my whole life.

Public Domain

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
J.F.Wade, 1751
O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come, ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above
Glory to God in the highest!

Public Domain
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH!
French Carol Melody

Angels we have heard on high
Singing sweetly o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous gains

Glo – ria! in excelsis Deo.
Glo – ria! in excelsis De – o.

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the newborn King.

Public Domain

SILENT NIGHT
Franz Grueber, 1818

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy Holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth!
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth!

Public Domain

Top 10 List

#10 – Sometimes by David Crowder / Where I Belong by Jason Ingram and Jason Roy (mashup)
#9 – God I Look to You by Jenn Johnson and Ian McIntosh
#8 – Behold Our God by Jonathan Baird, Meghan Baird, Ryan Baird, and Stephen Altrogge
#7 – The Everlasting by Fellowship Church
#6 – One Thirst and Hunger by Jeremy Riddle
#5 – When the Stars Burn Down (Blessing & Honor) by Jennie Lee Riddle and Jonathan Lee
#4 – Lay Me Down by Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Jonas Myrin and Jason Ingram
#3 – From Glory to Glory by Jackie Francois and Audrey Assad (purchase sheet music here)
#2 – 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin
#1 – O The Blood by Thomas Miller and Mary Elizabeth Miller

Feel free to leave comments, questions, and/or prayer requests, below
or leave a message at 203/701-7771.

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* How can we retain our joy in the Christmas season even when hard times come?
* How has the person of Jesus Christ utterly changed history?
* How can you come to know Jesus in a personal way, and what will happen when you do so?

This episode is dedicated to the victims, the heroes, the families and the community of Sandy Hook, CT.

*********Episode Log Times***************

1:49 – Worship Session (Music and Prayer)
1:54 – Puer Natus Est Nobis (Chant from Roman Gradual)
5:00 – Joy to the World
7:52 – Ding Dong Merrily on High
10:13 – Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
11:48 – Break Forth, O Beauteous Heav’nly Light
14:38 – The Wexford Carol
20:13 – Go Tell It On the Mountain
22:15 – How Brightly Beams the Radiant Star
24:49 – Noel! Noel!
27:40 – O Holy Night
30:00 – Ring Out Ye Wild and Merry Bells
31:45 – Angels From the Realms of Glory
34:00 – Spoken, Spontaneous Prayer
40:50 – Sharing: Christmas Thoughts
49:18 – Final Comments and Doxology

A songsheet is available for this episode. Right-click here to download.

******************SONGS*******************
PUER NATUS EST NOBIS
Roman Gradual
Puer natus est nobis, et filius datus est nobis
Cujus imperium super humerum ejus:
et vocabitur nomen ejus, magni consilii Angelus.

A child is born to us, and a Son is given for all of us
And the government shall be upon the shoulders of His
And there’ll be given a Name for Him:
Wonder-Counselor Mighty God.

Public Domain

JOY TO THE WORLD
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748; ANTIOCH from George F. Handel, 1685-1759

Joy to the world! The Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and nature sing
And heav’n and heav’n and nature sing

Joy to the world! The Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy

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

Public Domain

DING! DONG! MERRILY ON HIGH!
Jehan Tabourot (1519–1593); Tr by George R. Woodward
Ding! Dong! Merrily on High,
In heav’n the bells are ringing
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv’n with angel singing.

Glo – ria! Hosanna in excelsis.

E’en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And io, io, io, by priest and people sungen.

Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers.

Public Domain

HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SING
Charles Wesley

Hark! the herald angels sing:
Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinner reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise.
Join the triumph of the skies
With th’angelic hosts proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Glory to the Newborn King

Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Come Desire of Nations come
Fix in us Thy humble home
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail th’Incarnate Deity
Pleased with man as man to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel!

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n w healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth.

Public Domain

BREAK FORTH, O BEAUTEOUS HEAV’NLY LIGHT
W: Johann Rist (1641); Tr by John Troutbeck (1885);
M:Johann Schop (1641); harmony by Johann S. Bach (1734)

Break forth O beauteous, heav’nly light
And usher in the morning.
You shepherd, shudder not with afright
But hear the angel’s warning.

This Child, now weak in infancy
Our confidence and joy shall be
The pow’r of Satan breaking,
Our peace eternal making.

Public Domain

THE WEXFORD CAROL
Irish carol, 12th century

Good people all this Christmas time
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending His beloved Son
With Mary holy, we should pray
To God with love, this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem, upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide
The noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass
From ev’ry door, repell’d alas!
As long foretold, their refuge all
Was but an humble ox’s stall.

Hallelujah, Hallelu-jah.
Hallelujah, Hallelu-jah.

Near Bethlehem, did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the Shepherd in great fear.
“Prepare and go” the angels said,
“To Bethlehem, be not afraid.
For there you’ll find this happy morn,
A princely babe, sweet Jesus born.”

With thankful heart and joyful mind
The Shepherds went the babe to find
And as God’s angel had foretold
They did our Saviour Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid
And by His side, the Virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of life
Who came on earth, to end all strife.

There were three wise men from afar
Directed by a glorious star
And on they wandered night and day
Until they came where Jesus lay.
And when they cam unto that place,
Where our Beloved Messiah laid.
They humbly cast them at His feet
With gifts of gold and incense sweet.

Public Domain

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
African-American Spiritual

When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day
I asked the Lord to help me
And He showed me the way

Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!

He made me a watchman
Upon the city wall
And though I am a Christian
I am the least of all

Public Domain

HOW BRIGHTLY BEAMS THE RADIANT STAR
Philipp Nicolai 1556-1608, Tr: William Mercer 1605-75, Harm. by J.S. Bach

How brightly beams the morning star!
What sudden radiance from afar
Doth glad us with its shining?
The ray of God that breaks our night
And fills the darken’d souls with light
Who long for truth we’re pining
Thy Word, Jesus, truly feeds us
Rightly leadus us, Life bestowing

Through Thee alone can we be blest
Then deep be on our hearts imprest
The love that Thou hast borne us
So make us ready to fulfill
With burning zeal Thy holy will
Though men may vex or scorn us
Saviour, Jesus, never lose Thee
For we choose Thee, thirst to know Thee.
All we are and have we owe Thee!

O praise to Thee who came to save
You conquered death and burst the grave
Each day new praise resoundeth
You are the Lamb who once was slain
the Friend whom none shall trust in vain
Whose grace always aboundeth
Sing, you heavens: tell the story of His glory
Till His praises flood with light earth’s darkest places.

Public Domain

NOEL! NOEL!
Traditional French-English Carol

Noel! Noel! Good news I tell,
And eke a wonder story
A virgin mild hath borne a child,
Jesus the King of glory!

Public Domain

O HOLY NIGHT
W:Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), Tr: Placide Cappeau (1808-1877),
M:Adolphe-Charles Adam (1803-1856)

O Holy Night! The Stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born
O night divine! O night O night divine!

Public Domain

RING OUT YE WILD AND MERRY BELLS
Words: unknown; M: C. Maitland
source: Carols old and Carols New (1916)

Ring out, ye wild and merry bells
Ring out the old, old story
That first was told by angel tongues
From out the realms of glory.
Peace on earth was their sweet song, glory in the highest!
Echoing all the hills away, glory in the highest!

Ring sweet bells, ring evermore
Peal from ev’ry steeple.
Christ the Lord, shall be our God
And we shall be His people.

Ring out ye silv’ry bells, ring out
Ring out your exultation
That God with man is reconciled.
Go tell it to the nations.
Therefore let us all today, glory in the highest!
Banish sorrow far away, glory in the highest!

Public Domain

ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY
James Montgomery (1816), Henry Smart (1867)

Angels from the realms of glory
Wing your flight o’er all the earth
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Come and worship, come and worship
Worship Christ the newborn King.

Shepherds, in the field abiding
Watching o’er your flocks by night
God with man is now residing
Yonder shines the infant Light.
Sages leave your contemplations
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of Nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.

Saints, before the altar bending
Watching long in hope and fear.
Suddenly the Lord, descending
In His temple shall appear.

Public Domain

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This episode is dedicated to the victims, their families, and the heroes of Sandy Hook Elementary School. I will continue to pray and listen.

• What has been our Advent progress these last few days, in the midst of Christmas preparations?
• Why has A Christmas Story become so strongly loved during this season?
• It is a funny movie; but aren’t there other funny Christmas movies out there?
• It’s a quotable movie; but are there other highly-quotable Christmas movies?
• Is the film popular because it represents an America that no longer exists?
• Two Major Advent Themes:

1. Every single material gift in this world–no matter how wonderful–will always fail to fully satisfy our deepest longings. (Heaven is our home, where nothing will ever disappoint us).
2. How are the dual themes of judgment and mercy shown in this film?

• We need to be ready for the judgment we all will receive; we need to be right with God.
• This Christmas, we can ask God to come alive for us, reveal Himself to us, expecting that our lives will be changed.

A songsheet is available for personal use. Right-Click “Save As” to download.

***********SONG OF THE WEEK***********
Lyric Study and Guitar Workshop
The Everlasting
by Fellowship Church
Copyright (c) 2011 Creality Publishing, Inc. and Fellowship Church.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqaU7piEIdA

***************Log Times******************
3:05 – Worship Session (Music and Prayer)
3:30 – Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
6:10 – Watchman Tell Us Of the Night
8:12 – O Come O Come Emmanuel (6th & 7th verses)
10:51 – Hope In the Lord
15:21 – Creator Of the Stars of Night
17:36 – Laudem Domini
19:05 – Spoken, Spontaneous Prayer
26:48 – Song of the Week: The Everlasting by Fellowship Church
(lyric study and guitar workshop)
32:55 – Sharing: Advent IV and “A Christmas Story”
48:44 – Final Comments and Doxology

******************SONGS*******************

LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, YE MIGHTY GATES
George Weissel, 1642 (Based on Psalm 24)

Lift up Your heads, ye mighty gates
Behold the King of glory waits!
The King of Kings is drawing near
The Savior of the world is here.

O blest the land, the city blest
Where Christ the ruler is confest!
O happy hearts and happy homes
To whom the King of triumph comes!

Fling wide the portals of your heart
Make it a temple, set apart
From earthly use for heav’ns employ,
Adorned with prayer and love and joy.

So, come my sov’reign, enter in!
Let new and nobler life begin;
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on
Until the glorious crown be won.

Public Domain

WATCHMAN TELL US OF THE NIGHT
John Bowring, 1825, Joseph Parry 1879

Watchman, tell us of the night
What its signs of promise are
Trav’ler o’er yon mountain height
See that glory beaming star.
Watchman does its beauteous ray
Aught of joy or hope foretell?
Trav’ler yes: it brings the day
Promised day of Israel

Watchman, tell us of the night
Higher yet that star ascends
Trav’ler blessedness and light
Peace and truth its course portends
Watchman will its beams alone
Gild the spot that gave them birth?
Trav’ler ages are its own
See, it bursts o’er all the earth.

Watchman, tell us of the night
For the morning seems to dawn
Trav’ler darkness takes its flight
Doubt and terror are withdrawn
Watchman let thy wandrings cease
Hie thee to thy quiet home
Trav’ler, lo! the Prince of Peace
Lo! the Son of God is come!

Public Domain

O COME O COME EMMANUEL
veni veni Emmanuel, Latin 9th cent.; tr. by John Neale, 1818-1866

O Come Thou Dayspring from on high.
And cheer us by Thy drawing night.
Disperse that gloomy clouds of night
And put death’s dark shadows to flight

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to Thee, O Israel.

O Come Desire of Nations bind
In one the hearts of all mankind
Bid thou our sad divisions cease
And by Thyself our King of peace.

Public Domain

HOPE IN THE LORD
Robert Filoramo, Jr.

Our Lord is the eternal God
Creator of the ends of the earth
He does not grow faint nor grow weary
And His knowledge is beyond compare

He gives strength unto the fainting
For the weak He makes vigor abound
Though young men may faint and grow weary
And though, they stumble and fall

They that hope in the Lord
will renew their strength
They will soar as with the wings of eagles
They will run and never grow weary
They will walk and never faint

Copyright (c) 1990 Robert Filoramo, Jr. and Koinonia Academy Press; Used by Permission. www.bobfiloramo.com
CREATOR OF THE STARS OF NIGHT
Latin, 9th century; Tr. by John M. Neale

Creator of the stars of night
Thy people’s everlasting light
Jesu, Redeemer, save us all
And hear your servants as we call

Thou grieving at the ancient curse
Should doom to death the universe
Has found the medicine full of grace
To save and heal the ruined race

Thou cames the Bridegroom of the Bride
As drew the world the evening tide
Proceeding from a Virgin shrine
The Spotless Victim all divine

At Whose dread Name, majestic now
All knees must bend, all hearts must bow
And things celestial Thee shall own
And things terrestrial, Lord alone.

O Thou Whose coming is with dread
To judge and doom the quick and dead
Preserve us while we dwell belo
From every insult of the foe.

To God the Father, God the Son
And God the Spirit, Three in One
Laud, honor, might and glory be
From age to age eternally.

Public Domain

LAUDEM DOMINI
Roman Gradual

Laudem Domini Loquetur os meum:
The praises of the Lord are spoken from lips of mine.

Public Domain

*********************************
Feel free to leave comments, questions, and/or prayer requests below,
or leave a message at 203/701-7771

Did you know that Nick Alexander is available for keynotes? For comedy? For worship? For teaching about the faith?
Learn about what Nick Alexander can bring to your community, youth rally, keynote or event: http://www.nickalexander.com