1. |
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THE IRRATIONAL SEASON (PRELUDE)
(with What Child Is This, trad. Arr. Carolyn Arends)
Words taken from a poem by Madeleine L’Engle
Music by Carolyn Arends
This is the irrational season
When love blooms bright and wild
For if Mary had been filled with reason
There’d have been no room for the child
There’d have been no room for the child
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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2. |
Come and See - CAIS
04:07
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COME AND SEE
Written by Carolyn Arends
Have you heard, have you heard
All the rumors are true
Spread the word, spread the word
This is such good news
The dream is not a dream anymore
Nothing is the same as before
Come and see, come and see
He is laying in the straw
He’s a new baby boy
Who’s the hope of us all
Come and hear, come and hear
It’s a sound both sweet and strange
It’s the great love of God
In the cry of a babe
It’s the great love of God
In the cry of a babe
See the star, see the star
It will light our way
Hear the song, hear the song
Hurry to the place
‘Cause if his mama says that it’s alright
We can see the face of God tonight
Come and see, come and see …
Seeing is believing, yeah
Believing is seeing, yeah
Come and see, come and see …
Seeing is believing, yeah
Believing is seeing, yeah
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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3. |
Do Not Be Afraid - CAIS
04:18
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DO NOT BE AFRAID
Carolyn Arends
Half a woman, half a child
Mary lay there sleeping
Never dreaming in a little while
She would hear the angel's greeting
Opened her eyes to see
That Gabriel had come
Opened her heart to hear
"You are the chosen one
And do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Love has found its way to you
So do not be afraid"
Shepherds watching their flocks by night
Guarding against danger
When suddenly there was a blinding light
And then things got even stranger
Angels in the sky
Far as the eye could see
Singing "Christ is born
Oh -- and one more thing...
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Love has found its way to you
So do not be afraid"
Half believing, half afraid
We celebrate the story
But our lives seem about a world away
From angels and their glory
Open our eyes to see
What Mary saw somehow
Open our hearts to hear
Those angels even now
They're singing "Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Love has found its way to you
So do not be afraid"
© New Springs Publishing Inc./(ASCAP)/a division of Brentwood Benson Music Publishing, Inc.
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4. |
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ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
trad., arr. by Carolyn Arends
And those angels were singing ...
Gloria
In excelsis Deo
Gloria
In excelsis Deo
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains
Gloria ...
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King
Gloria ...
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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5. |
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CHRISTMAS MUST BE TONIGHT
Written by Robbie Robertson
Come down to the manger
See the little stranger
Wrapped in swaddling clothes the Prince of Peace
Wheels start turning
Torches start burning
And behold the wisemen journey from the east
How a little baby boy
Could bring the people so much joy
Son of a carpenter
Mary carried the light
This must be Christmas, must be tonight
A shepherd on a hillside
Where over my flock I abide
On a cold winter night a band of angels sing
In a dream I heard a voice
Say fear not, come rejoice
It is the end of the beginning, praise the newborn King
How a little baby boy …
Saw it with my own eyes
Written up in the sky
But why a lowly herdsman such as I
But then it came to pass
He was born at last
Right below the star that shines on high
How a little baby boy …
© 1977 Medicine Hat Music
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6. |
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IS BETHLEHEM TOO FAR AWAY?
Carolyn Arends
If we close our eyes, can we see the star?
Can we find our path in its light?
And if we are still, tell me, can we hear
The song of the angels tonight?
Can we find our way to the baby king?
Can we worship him now in the hay?
And can we believe he can change everything?
Or is Bethlehem too far away?
If we dream our dreams with our wisest hearts
Will we dream of peace on earth?
Will our lips proclaim glad tidings of
The Wonderful Counselor’s birth?
Can we find our way to the baby king?
Can we worship him now in the hay?
And can we believe he can change everything?
Or is Bethlehem too far away
O, little town of Bethlehem
How far it must have been
From heaven’s throne of glory
To your humble manger scene
If God saw fit to travel there
Should not also we?
If we seek him we will find him in
The least expected place
For his kingdom comes in the power and might
Of his sacrifice and grace
Can we find our way to the baby king?
Can we worship him now in the hay?
And can we believe he can change everything?
Or is Bethlehem too far away?
Is Bethlehem too far away?
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
CCLI No. 7166816
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7. |
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NOW IN FLESH APPEARING (THIS IS CHRISTMAS)
Written by Carolyn Arends
It’s December 24
Colder than the night before
But it’s sure hot down in the kitchen
At the Union Gospel Mission
Joshua’s a volunteer
He does this every single year
Shares soup and conversation with some strangers
And all his friends just can’t believe
How he spends his Christmas Eve
He says it brings him closer to the manger
Well, this is Christmas
A hand upon a shoulder
Christmas
A little peace on earth
This is Christmas
The sweet love of Jesus
Now in flesh appearing, yeah
There’s some static on the phone
Half a world away from home
Lisa’s mom fights back the tears
“It’s Christmas Eve and you’re not here”
No one could believe her plan
An orphanage in Kazakhstan
But Lisa knew that’s where she had to go
And now she’s hugging on those kids
Teaching them what Christmas is
And though her family misses her they know
That this is Christmas …
We celebrate the Baby King
And everything He came to bring
Every time we give good will to men
So on December 25
Or in the middle of July
Any time we do what pleases Him …
Then it’s Christmas
Merry Christmas
This is Christmas
Now in flesh appearing
This is Christmas …
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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8. |
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My First Christmas
words and music by Carolyn Arends
Well her daddy took a photograph in 1923
She was just a little baby laying by the Christmas tree
And her mama knew she was way too small
To remember very much at all
And so she made sure to write
These words on the back of that black and white
This is my first Christmas
First time to hear the choir sing
Glory, hallelujah to the baby king
And a holy night is what this is
‘Cause this is my first Christmas
This is my first Christmas
She was raising her own babies in the winter of ’44
Trying to make their Christmas merry while their daddy fought the 2nd World War
And she slipped into the chapel on Christmas Eve
Something holy happened when the preacher preached
She went forward and she prayed
She said I never will forget today
This is my first Christmas
First time that I can really sing
Glory, hallelujah to the baby king
And a holy night is what this is
‘Cause this is my first Christmas
This is my first Christmas
And it was just November past
She said goodbye, and breathed her last
And the great grandchildren miss her so
But if she could she would let them know …
This is my first Christmas
First time to hear the angels sing
Glory, hallelujah to the risen king
And a holy night is what this is
‘Cause this is my first Christmas
This is my first Christmas
© Songs of Peer/Mr. Marley’s Music/ASCAP
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9. |
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Go Tell It On the Mountain
arr. by Carolyn Arends
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.
While shepherds kept their watching
OVer silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.
The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo! above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Savior‘s birth.
Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born,
And God sent us salvation
That blessed Christmas morn.
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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10. |
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THE LORD’S SERVANT
Carolyn Arends
Mary could not believe what was happening
An angel was standing there, plain as could be
Speaking to her of impossible things
See Mary was young, she was humble and poor
And she could not imagine what she could be used for
But the Spirit within her just started to soar
She said: I am the Lord’s Servant
Was her heart beating wild
When she said she’d obey?
And did Gabriel smile
As if to say …
If you are willing
Then our God is able
To send His salvation
Down to a stable
And love can be born
And peace can be yours
If you’ll be the Lord’s servant
Now Joseph was loyal and honest and true
When he heard about Mary his heart broke in two
And so he determined what he had to do
But when he fell asleep it was not long before
An angel said: Joseph, you need to know more
And it was a dream that he could not ignore
Because he was the Lord’s servant
Did he jump out of bed?
Did he run to her side?
Did the words Gabriel said
Race through his mind
If you are willing
Then our God is able
To send His salvation
Down to a stable
And love can be born
And peace can be yours
If you’ll be the Lord’s servant
It’s been 2000 years
And yet we play a part
The Messiah still comes
If there’s room in your heart
And if we are willing
Then our God is able
He sent His salvation
Down to a stable
So love can be born
And peace can be yours
If you’ll be the Lord’s servant
Oh will you be the Lord’s servant?
© Songs of Pier/Mr. Marley’s Music/ASCAP
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11. |
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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
PD, arranged by Carolyn Arends
Come, Thou long-expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring
By thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By thine own sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Come, Jesus, come
Joy of every longing heart
Come, Jesus, Come
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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12. |
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A CHRISTMAS BLESSING
Carolyn Arends
May your receive the good gift of laughter
May you feel the love of your friends near and far
May you be filled with the joy of the season
And may there be peace in your home and your heart
May the Christmas star light your way
Even today, even today
May the angel choir ring in your ear
“Christ is here, Christ is here”
May the one who has come guide you and keep you
May you seek his face as all wise men still do
And may Bethlehem’s road rise up to meet you
Till you find him and see that God is with you
May the Christmas star light your way …
Oh may Bethlehem’s road rise up to meet you
Till you find him and see that God is with you
May you find him and see that God is with you
May the Christmas star light your way …
© New Spring Publishing/Songs of Pier/Mr. Marley’s Music/ASCAP
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13. |
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The Irrational Season (Postlude)
(with What Child Is This, trad. Arr. Carolyn Arends)
Words taken from a poem by Madeleine L’Engle
Music by Carolyn Arends
This is the irrational season
When love blooms bright and wild
For if Mary had been filled with reason
There’d have been no room for the child
There’d have been no room for the child
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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14. |
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IT WAS A HOLY NIGHT
Carolyn Arends
O, little town of Bethlehem
I think it is a lie
That you were still or dreamless
On that first Christmas night
‘Cause you had soldiers, and politicians
Over-crowding in your streets
And there was chaos, and human cruelty
And never quite enough to eat
And then the baby came
And when the baby came …
Chorus:
I think he cried the way that babies do
I think his mama might have cried a little too
I bet you Joseph didn’t have a clue what to do
He was new at fatherhood
So I don’t think it was a silent night
I kind of doubt that all was calm that night
But there were those who heard about a light
Saw the sight and they understood
It was a holy … It was a holy
It was a holy night
O, when the herald angels sang
I bet they thought it odd
That such a poor and broken place
Should be a home for God
And did they gasp to see him shiver
Cold and hungry in our skin
Did they tremble, did they wonder
How we deserved a gift like Him
Oh, but just the same
The baby came …
Chorus
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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15. |
Vacancy - CTSOS
04:13
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VACANCY
Carolyn Arends
Seems like my Christmas cheer
Is hard to find this year
I think it vanished in the fall
Strange how a loss or two
Can eat away at you
Until there’s not much left at all
But they say Advent is for waiting
And so I guess that’s what I’ll do …
Chorus:
There is a vacancy
Right here inside of me
It’s been that way for quite a while
But there’s a blessedness
In this great emptiness
If it makes room here for the child
Though my midwinter’s bleak
I am resolved to keep
A candle burning in the dark
And when the night is still
I will not rush to fill
The silence growing in my heart
Cause they say Advent is for longing
So tell me what else can I do?
Chorus
Come …. Lord Jesus, won’t you come?
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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16. |
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EVERYTHING CHANGES AT CHRISTMAS
Carolyn Arends
Men brave snow and fear of heights
To deck their houses with strings of lights
And strangers smile like old friends might
Everything changes at Christmas
Mary and Joseph and the baby in the hay
Come down from the attic and go on display
And treetop angels seem to say
Everything changes at Christmas
Well if it’s a story, what a story
Who would dreamed up a scheme like this?
But if it’s the real thing, think of what that means:
Everything changes at Christmas
Everything changes at Christmas
Well, if the shepherds were not wrong
If there was an angel song
If God planned this all along
Then everything changes at Christmas
‘Cause if that was the Savior’s birth
That means God thought we were worth
Whatever it took to bring love down to earth
So everything changes at Christmas
Yeah, if God really came to town
What was lost has now been found
If we will accept that love
Nothing will be like it was
‘Cause this is the real thing, think of what that means
Everything changes, yeah everything
Because of the story, what a story
Who would dreamed up a scheme like this?
But if it’s the real thing, think of what that means:
Everything changes at Christmas
Christmas changes everything
So joy to the world, the Lord is come
Oh come let us adore him – he changes everything …
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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17. |
Christmas Magic - CTSOS
04:17
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CHRISTMAS MAGIC
by Carolyn Arends
Don’t be misled by these dusty old baubles
These are the treasures of Christmases past
And don’t be dismayed if the family squabbles
We’ll still pass the turkey, we’ll still raise a glass
I know for sure it will not be perfect
There will be moments we’re undone
But friends, that’s the reason we need this season
To help us remember, joy can still come
To a world often troubled and tragic …
So bring on the old Christmas magic
Don’t be ashamed to hang dollar store tinsel
There is great worth in reflecting the light
Don’t you agree we could all use some twinkle?
Now is the time to be merry and bright
Everything’s better when we come together
So let’s make sure mistletoe is hung
Cause friends the whole reason we need this season
Is to help us remember, joy can still come
To a world often troubled and tragic …
So bring on the old Christmas magic
Please don’t give up on the ancient traditions
They’ll come to life if you just let them in
And don’t be afraid to give your heart permission
To open up wide and let Christmas begin
Come all ye faithful, there’s room at the table
And there is a gift for everyone
Cause friends the whole reason we need this season
Is to help us remember, joy can still come
To a world often troubled and tragic …
So bring on the old Christmas magic
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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18. |
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GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN
Traditional
Arr. By Carolyn Arends
God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Savior
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
Chorus:
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed angel came
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name
Chorus
"Fear not," said the angel
Let nothing you afright
This day is born a Savior
Of purest Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might
Chorus
Now to the Lord sing praises
All you within this place
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other, now embrace
This holy tide of Christmas
All others doth deface
Chorus
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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19. |
The Sound - CTSOS
03:31
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THE SOUND
Carolyn Arends
Now the angels’ song has trailed away
And only earthly sounds remain
A baahing sheep, a bleating goat
A nervous shepherd clears his throat
And a husband asks “Are you alright?”
As a weary mother lullabyes
And through it all a baby cries …
Hush now, listen, that’s the sound
Of the Kingdom coming (the Kingdom coming)
The Kingdom coming (the Kingdom coming)
The Kingdom coming to your town
Now the angels’ song was long ago
Was it all a dream? It’s hard to know
Cause we’ve made ourselves a world so loud
Who can hear a thing in the madding crowd?
Oh but sometimes on a midnight clear
If we close our eyes we begin to hear
A still small voice saying “Christ is near”
Hush now, listen, that’s the sound
Of the Kingdom coming (the Kingdom coming)
The Kingdom coming (the Kingdom coming)
The Kingdom coming to your town
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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20. |
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IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR
Edward Sears and Richard Storrs Willis
arr. Carolyn Arends
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old.
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold!
Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From heaven's all gracious King!
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From heaven's all gracious King!
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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21. |
You Gotta Get Up - CTSOS
04:20
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YOU GOTTA GET UP
Rich Mullins
I thought Christmas day would never come
But it’s here at last, so mom and dad
The waiting’s finally done
And you gotta get up
You gotta get up,
You gotta get up
It’s Christmas morning
Last night I heard reindeers on my roof
Well you may think I’m exaggerating
But I swear I’m tellin’ you the truth
And you gotta get up
You gotta get up,
You gotta get up
It’s Christmas morning
It’s Christmas morning
Did my sister get a baby doll
Did my brother get his bike?
Did I get that red wagon
The kind that makes you fly?
Oh I hope there’ll be peace on earth
I know there’s good will toward men
On account of the baby born in Bethlehem
So you gotta get up
You gotta get up,
You gotta get up
Mom and daddy stayed up too late last night
I guess they got carried away
In the Christmas candlelight
And you gotta get up
You gotta get up,
You gotta get up
It’s Christmas morning
You gotta get up
You gotta get up,
You gotta get up
It’s Christmas
© 1993 Edward Grant, Inc./ASCAP
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22. |
Long Way to Go - CTSOS
03:54
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LONG WAY TO GO
Carolyn Arends
Well Caesar’s wish was their command
What a long way to go
A census down in Bethlehem
What a long way to go
Goodness, gracious, have mercy
Too many miles for poor Mary
She was so far along, that had to be
Such a long way to go – oh
What a long way to go
Three Eastern Magi on a quest
What a long way to go
A star was shining way out West
What a long way to go
Goodness, gracious, man alive
I’m telling you, those kings had drive
It was two whole years ‘til they finally arrived
Such a long way to go – oh
What a long way to go
People say that love has limits
People just don’t know
How far the love that came at Christmas
Is prepared to go …
From realms of glory to bales of hay
What a long way to go
From King of Heaven to tiny babe
What a long way to go
Goodness, gracious, glory be
God came down to you and me
From a throne to a manger, to Calvary …
Such a long way to go – oh
What a long way to go – oh
What a long way to go
You’ve come, you’ve come, Emmanuel
What a long way to go
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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23. |
Story of Stories - CTSOS
04:06
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STORY OF STORIES
Written by Carolyn Arends
God makes the world
And the world makes a choice
And the choice isn’t good .. and we fall
We make our own way
And the way that we go
Goes to nowhere but death for us all
He could have just started over
Left us alone in the dark
But our God is not like that – He wants his family back
He’s had a plan from the start …
Chorus:
And this is the story of stories
This is the mystery of old
This is the glory of glories …
All that exists, comes down to this
Newborn baby boy
God has a love
And the love overcomes
‘Cause it comes down to live in our skin
Yeah he makes his home
In the flesh and the bones
We will break when we crucify him
He could have said: “I’m not going”
Decided enough was enough
But our God is not like that – He wants his family back
There’s just no stopping his love
Chorus
He is the story of stories
He is the mystery of old
He is the glory of glories
All that exists, comes down to this
Newborn baby boy
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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24. |
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WHAT KIND OF KING
Carolyn Arends
No palace steps to climb
No sentry guards in towers
What kind of king is this?
Where is the iron fist?
The grand display of power?
What kind of king is this?
No regal robes
He’s wrapped up in a blanket and his mama’s arms
No royal throne
Just hay for a cradle in a dusty barn
Could he be the one that we think he is?
The kingdom coming down to where we live?
Oh, what kind of king is this?
To have the ox and lamb
Attend his coronation
What kind of king is this?
To bid the shepherds come
With just their adoration
What kind of king is this?
No regal robes
He’s wrapped up in a blanket and his mama’s arms
No royal throne
Just hay for a cradle in a dusty barn
Could he be the one that we think he is?
The kingdom coming down to where we live?
Oh, what kind of king is this?
What kind of plan ever goes this far?
What kind of mercy puts itself at ours?
What kind of maker walks the earth he made
From a cradle to a cross and leaves an empty grave?
Oh, what kind of love?
What kind of love
Would trade his regal robes
To be wrapped up in a blanket and his mama’s arms
No royal throne
Just hay for a cradle in a dusty barn
Could he be the one that we think he is?
The kingdom coming down to where we live?
Oh, what kind of king?
What kind of love?
What kind of king is this?
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
CCLI No. 7166577
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25. |
Dawn on Us - CTSOS
04:29
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DAWN ON US
Carolyn Arends
What was he thinking in the starlight?
Did he have time to think at all?
A carpenter his whole life, now he was a midwife
And then the shepherds came to call
When Joseph held the newborn baby
Was the whole meaning still unclear?
A man can get so tired, even angel choirs
Just leave a ringing in his ears
Was it all a blur, all too much
Until at last, the sun came up
Did it dawn on him
At the moment when
Morning chased the night away
Did it dawn on him
This was God with him
In the light of Christmas day
Now we put Joseph in the stable
We put the stable on display
A sweet nativity scene, fragments of an old dream
What kind of difference does it make?
But if that baby in the manger
Came to be Light for everyone
Maybe all the darkness, here inside our hearts is
A sign that only he can come
And end at last the tyranny
Of endless night and set us free
Let it dawn on us
Like the morning sun
Let it chase our night away
Let it dawn on us
This is God with us
In the light of Christmas day
In the light of Christmas day
Let it shine, shine, shine
Let it dawn on us
This is God with us
In the light of Christmas day
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
CCLI No. 7166732
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26. |
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O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
arr. by Carolyn Arends
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
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
O sing all ye citizens of heav’n above
Glory to God, glory in the highest
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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27. |
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IS BETHLEHEM TOO FAR AWAY?
Carolyn Arends
If we close our eyes, can we see the star?
Can we find our path in its light?
And if we are still, tell me, can we hear
The song of the angels tonight?
Can we find our way to the baby king?
Can we worship him now in the hay?
And can we believe he can change everything?
Or is Bethlehem too far away?
If we dream our dreams with our wisest hearts
Will we dream of peace on earth?
Will our lips proclaim glad tidings of
The Wonderful Counselor’s birth?
Can we find our way to the baby king?
Can we worship him now in the hay?
And can we believe he can change everything?
Or is Bethlehem too far away
O, little town of Bethlehem
How far it must have been
From heaven’s throne of glory
To your humble manger scene
If God saw fit to travel there
Should not also we?
If we seek him we will find him in
The least expected place
For his kingdom comes in the power and might
Of his sacrifice and grace
Can we find our way to the baby king?
Can we worship him now in the hay?
And can we believe he can change everything?
Or is Bethlehem too far away?
Is Bethlehem too far away?
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
CCLI No. 7166816
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28. |
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeers
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
"Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeers loved him
As they shouted out with glee
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You'll go down in history"
But Rudolph, he didn't go for that
He said, "I see through your silly games.
How can you look me in the face
When only yesterday you called me names?"
All of the other reindeers, man
Well they sure did feel ashamed
"Rudolph, you know we're sorry
And we're truly gonna try to change."
Songwriters: Johnny Marks, with additional lyrics from Jack Johnson
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29. |
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EVERYTHING CHANGES AT CHRISTMAS
Carolyn Arends
Men brave snow and fear of heights
To deck their houses with strings of lights
And strangers smile like old friends might
Everything changes at Christmas
Mary and Joseph and the baby in the hay
Come down from the attic and go on display
And treetop angels seem to say
Everything changes at Christmas
Well if it’s a story, what a story
Who would dreamed up a scheme like this?
But if it’s the real thing, think of what that means:
Everything changes at Christmas
Everything changes at Christmas
Well, if the shepherds were not wrong
If there was an angel song
If God planned this all along
Then everything changes at Christmas
‘Cause if that was the Savior’s birth
That means God thought we were worth
Whatever it took to bring love down to earth
So everything changes at Christmas
Yeah, if God really came to town
What was lost has now been found
If we will accept that love
Nothing will be like it was
‘Cause this is the real thing, think of what that means
Everything changes, yeah everything
Because of the story, what a story
Who would dreamed up a scheme like this?
But if it’s the real thing, think of what that means:
Everything changes at Christmas
Christmas changes everything
So joy to the world, the Lord is come
Oh come let us adore him – he changes everything …
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
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30. |
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MY FIRST CHRISTMAS
words and music by Carolyn Arends
Well her daddy took a photograph in 1923
She was just a little baby laying by the Christmas tree
And her mama knew she was way too small
To remember very much at all
And so she made sure to write
These words on the back of that black and white
This is my first Christmas
First time to hear the choir sing
Glory, hallelujah to the baby king
And a holy night is what this is
‘Cause this is my first Christmas
This is my first Christmas
She was raising her own babies in the winter of ’44
Trying to make their Christmas merry while their daddy fought the 2nd World War
And she slipped into the chapel on Christmas Eve
Something holy happened when the preacher preached
She went forward and she prayed
She said I never will forget today
This is my first Christmas
First time that I can really sing
Glory, hallelujah to the baby king
And a holy night is what this is
‘Cause this is my first Christmas
This is my first Christmas
And it was just November past
She said goodbye, and breathed her last
And the great grandchildren miss her so
But if she could she would let them know …
This is my first Christmas
First time to hear the angels sing
Glory, hallelujah to the risen king
And a holy night is what this is
‘Cause this is my first Christmas
This is my first Christmas
© Songs of Peer/Mr. Marley’s Music/ASCAP
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31. |
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WHAT KIND OF KING
Carolyn Arends
No palace steps to climb
No sentry guards in towers
What kind of king is this?
Where is the iron fist?
The grand display of power?
What kind of king is this?
No regal robes
He’s wrapped up in a blanket and his mama’s arms
No royal throne
Just hay for a cradle in a dusty barn
Could he be the one that we think he is?
The kingdom coming down to where we live?
Oh, what kind of king is this?
To have the ox and lamb
Attend his coronation
What kind of king is this?
To bid the shepherds come
With just their adoration
What kind of king is this?
No regal robes
He’s wrapped up in a blanket and his mama’s arms
No royal throne
Just hay for a cradle in a dusty barn
Could he be the one that we think he is?
The kingdom coming down to where we live?
Oh, what kind of king is this?
What kind of plan ever goes this far?
What kind of mercy puts itself at ours?
What kind of maker walks the earth he made
From a cradle to a cross and leaves an empty grave?
Oh, what kind of love?
What kind of love
Would trade his regal robes
To be wrapped up in a blanket and his mama’s arms
No royal throne
Just hay for a cradle in a dusty barn
Could he be the one that we think he is?
The kingdom coming down to where we live?
Oh, what kind of king?
What kind of love?
What kind of king is this?
© Running Arends Music/ASCAP
CCLI No. 7166577
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32. |
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DO NOT BE AFRAID
Carolyn Arends
Half a woman, half a child
Mary lay there sleeping
Never dreaming in a little while
She would hear the angel's greeting
Opened her eyes to see
That Gabriel had come
Opened her heart to hear
"You are the chosen one
And do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Love has found its way to you
So do not be afraid"
Shepherds watching their flocks by night
Guarding against danger
When suddenly there was a blinding light
And then things got even stranger
Angels in the sky
Far as the eye could see
Singing "Christ is born
Oh -- and one more thing...
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Love has found its way to you
So do not be afraid"
Half believing, half afraid
We celebrate the story
But our lives seem about a world away
From angels and their glory
Open our eyes to see
What Mary saw somehow
Open our hearts to hear
Those angels even now
They're singing "Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Love has found its way to you
So do not be afraid"
© New Springs Publishing Inc./(ASCAP)/a division of Brentwood Benson Music Publishing, Inc.
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Carolyn Arends Vancouver, British Columbia
"One of the most affecting communicators in any genre." - Billboard Magazine
Carolyn Arends
has released 14 albums and is the author of 3 critically-acclaimed books. 15 of Arends’ songs have become top 10 radio singles on the Canadian pop and US Christian charts. Arends has earned 2 Dove Awards, 3 Juno Nominations, and was recognized as the West Coast Music Awards’ Songwriter of the Year.
... more
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