A Song For An Inclusive Christmas

Here's a song I wrote for a Christmas concert a few years ago, set to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy.

Children, hear the Christmas story
Ages old and yet still new
How the Lord of power and glory
Came to earth a child like you

 

Born to simple village parents
In a stable filled with beasts
To remind us of his promise
That the greatest is the least.

Bethlehem now calls us homeward
Find the stable bathed in light
Enter in, behold the baby
Ruler of both day and night.

Bring your gifts of joy and friendship

 

Hearts that love are never small

 

Clothe the naked, serve the homeless:

 

Peace on earth, good will to all.

Fast away the old world passes,
Hail the new sun in the sky

 

Casting beams of love and blessing
Bringing peace that never dies.

 

Join your hands with those beside you
Let the walls between us fall:

 

Greet the stranger, feed the hungry
Peace on earth, good will to all.

 

Build the road of peace before us
Build it wide and deep and long

 

Shield the slow, remind the eager
Help the weak and guide the strong

 

None shall push aside another,
None shall let another fall

 

Sing with us the Christmas message:
Peace on earth, good will to all!