To Be Like Thee

Christmas Bells

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

     And wild and sweet

     The words repeat,

Of  'Peace on earth, good will to men!'

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

     Had rolled along

     The unbroken song,

Of  'Peace on earth, good will to men!"

Till ringing, singing on its way,

The world revolved from night to day---

     A voice, a chime,

     A chant sublime,

Of  'Peace on earth, good will to men!'

And in despair I bowed my head;

'There is no peace on earth,' I said,

     'For hate is strong

     And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men!'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

'God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!

     The wrong shall fail,

     The right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men!'

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow    1807-1882

This 'peace on earth, good will to men' comes to us as we trust God with our whole being.  This is a peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

'

Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Upon the earth, You came to dwell.
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
You loved us so, our sin to quell.
To Thee we sing - Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
Our God with us, our soul made well.
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
We thank You, Lord, with Thee we dwell.
Praise to the King - Emmanuel.

by Julie Dunlap   12-24-2011

Balulalow

O my dear heart, young Jesus sweet,
Prepare thy cradle in my spirit,
And I shall rock thee in my heart
And never more from thee depart.

But I shall praise thee evermore
With songs sweet to thy glory;
The knees of my heart shall I bow,
And sing that right Balulalow!

By James, John, and Robert Wedderburn    1567

All in Tune

All in tune to William's flute
Now is Robin's tabor,
Dance tonight and sing high praise
As they did in other days,
Every kindly neighbor.
All in tune, all in tune,
Are the flute and tambourine,
All in tune, all in tune,
Heaven and earth tonight are seen.

God and man are in accord,
More than flute or tabor,
Dance for joy and sing with awe,
For the child upon the straw
Is our God and neighbor.
God and man, God and man,
Are like flute and tambourine,
God and man, God and man,
As true neighbors here are seen.

Anonymous

New Songs by Two Amatuers

Lord, I'm Following You

Lord, I'm following You.
I can't find the path through the rain.
I know I'll make it through because I 'm Following You

Lord, I'm following You. I'm following You.

I don't know where I'm going
Though I can't see the light of day,
I know everything is gonna be okay because
Lord, I'm following You,
Oh, Lord, I'm following You.

It's not the world that gives me peace,
But the One who leads me through it because
I'm following You, Lord.
Oh, Lord, I'm following You.

I never have to cry in fear
Because, Lord, You're always near.
If there is darkness all around me
Still a light would fill my soul because
Lord, I'm following You. I'm following You.

There is a joy that passes all understanding
Because the One who holds tomorrow
Is holding my hand.
Lord, I'm following You.
Oh, Lord, I'm following You.

Friends may leave my side.
The devil may have lied.
I might not understand,
But, Lord, my life is in Your hand.
Lord, I'm following You.

And no matter what happens,
Lord, I will follow You.

by Abigail Little (age 12 years)  11-10-11


Come, Lord

Come, Lord. I am trusting in Your Presence.
Come, Lord.  You will help me find the way,
       Though the path is often slippery
       And the journey hard to follow.
Come, Lord.  I am trusting You today.

Speak, Lord.  I am listening to Your Wisdom.
Speak, Lord.  You will help me know Your ways,
       Though the path is often slippery
       And the journey hard to follow.
Speak, Lord.  I am trusting You today.

by Julie Dunlap   11-15-2011

My niece, Abigail, came to visit recently and sang me a song she had written a few days before her visit.  A few days later I came up with a tune one morning and asked my husband how he liked it.  He said it had potential, so while he milked the cow, I added words to the tune and sang it for him when he came in.  This is the first song I have written.  My husband has a whole notebook of songs he has written, so I am happy to finally have been able to write a song.  I thank the Lord for helping us along the path of life and for bringing music to our home.

All Saints

Behold the saints of old,
Mere men like you and I.
Yet noble knights unfold -
Such deep devotion lifted high.

Dying to self''s demands;
Faithful to God's commands

Like a farmer's windswept field -
Bowing stalks of wheat - God's plan.
Abundant harvest they yield;
Grace and goodness guiding humble man.

Dying to self''s demands;
Faithful to God's commands

Hallowed heads are bowed in humility;
Stalwart hearts are raised in worship.
Loyal lives respond to  God's mercy;
Noble deaths reveal God's Kingship.

by Julie Dunlap  11-9-2011

November 1st is All Saints Day, a day to remember the noble company of Saints who have faithfully lived their lives and passed on the Faith to us.