If I Were a Shepherd, I Would Bring a Lamb

Since we are away for Thanksgiving for a few days, we have a rerun video today.

Gracie’s hymns for this, the first Sunday of Advent: In the Bleak Midwinter, While by the Sheep We Watched at Night; Silent Night! Holy Night!

Lyrics (via hymnary.org)

IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER, by Christina Georgina Rossetti
1 In the bleak midwinter, 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 midwinter, long ago.

2 Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; 
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign. 
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed 
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. 

3 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. 

4 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 I can I give him: give my heart.

WHILE BY THE SHEEP WE WATCHED AT NIGHT (translated by Theodore Baker)
1 While by the sheep we watched at night,
glad tidings brought an angel bright.

Refrain:
How great our joy!
Great our joy!
Joy, joy, joy!
Joy, joy, joy!
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!
Praise we the Lord in heaven on high!

2 There shall be born, so he did say,
in Bethlehem a child today. [Refrain]

3 There shall the child lie in a stall,
this child who shall redeem us all. [Refrain]

4 This gift of God we’ll cherish well,
that ever joy our hearts shall fill. [Refrain]

SILENT NIGHT! HOLY NIGHT!, by Joseph Mohr
1 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.

2 Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
heav’nly hosts sing, Alleluia!
Christ, the Savior, is born! 
Christ, the Savior, is born!

3 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.