Beloved Presbyterian poet J. Barrie Shepherd has crafted hymns for Advent, Christmas and welcoming in the new year set to familiar Christmas tunes and other well-loved hymns.
Your hymn purchase includes downloads of a PDF of the lyrics scored with the music for a half-page regular sheet of paper, a second PDF of the lyrics scored with music for a half-page of legal-sized paper (large print) and a document with lyrics only. You have permission to print as many copies as needed for your use.
Good Joseph Was a Gentle Man (preview of full hymn text)
Good Joseph was a gentle man
he loved his bride-to-be,
Rejoiced in every blessed hour
spent in her company.
So when the neighbors told him that
his Mary was with child,
he heeded what the Angel said
and they were reconciled.
ST. LOUIS
(“O Little Town of Bethlehem”)
Click here to purchase “Good Joseph Was a Gentle Man” for $10.
Gathered in That Humble Place (preview of full hymn text)
Gathered in that humble place
Faces at the manger
Gentle Mary, full of grace,
Joseph there beside her.
Shepherds kneeling in the straw,
Sheep and lambs surrounding.
Wise men worshipping in awe.
Angel choirs resounding.
TEMPUS ADEST FLORIDUM 7.6.7.6.D, Piae Cantiones, 1582.
Click here to purchase “Gathered in that Humble Place” for $10.
Deep In the Darkest of the Day (preview of full hymn text)
A Christmas hymn
Deep in the darkest of the days
when folk yearn for the light,
new radiance breaks across the land,
unveiled to human sight.
A sunrise over all the earth
that drives all dark away.
The Son of God is born to us,
all on this Christmas Day.
Click here to purchase “Deep In the Darkest of the Day” for $10.
Between the Manger and the Morn (preview of full hymn text)
Between the manger and the morn
poor shepherds kneel to the newborn,
wise men approach from lands afar,
a mother wonders at a star.
O WALY WALY
Click here to purchase “Between the Manger and the Morn” for $10.
Before the Closing of the Year (preview of full hymn text)
Before the closing of the year
when all seems bleak and chill
there dawns a time of hopefulness
of kindness and goodwill.
Folk turn toward each other and
forget their cherished pride,
seek ways to bless their neighbor,
set selfishness aside.
CAROL, C.M.D.
(“It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”)
Click here to purchase “Before the Closing of the Year” for $10.
Thanks for the Gift of Time (preview of full hymn text)
A hymn for the new year
Thanks for the gift of time
That makes and marks our days
Moments of testing and of trust
Of joyfulness and grace.
You set us in their midst,
walk with us on our ways,
then call us home to timelessness
lost in eternal praise.
TERRA BEATA
(“This Is My Father’s World”)
Click here to purchase “Thanks for the Gift of Time” for $10.
J. Barrie Shepherd is an award winning poet and an honorably retired PC(USA) pastor, the author of many books.
