Christmas Praise

Also known as Glory to God
©2003 Cheryl A. B. Boydston
CCLI Song #4577799
Scripture Reference: Luke 2:13-14

Theme: Christmas
Key: F to G
Mood/Tempo: joyful/lilting

This song is appropriate anytime during the Christmas season but works especially well for worship on Christmas Eve. We hear the angels' message, proclaiming the good news of Christ's birth, and then we join the angels and blend our praises to God.

The format of the song is Chorus, Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, repeat Chorus. The last time the chorus is sung, the key changes from F to G. There is a violin obbligato throughout the song.

During the year we use a modified version of the chorus only as a Scripture response; samples of this (Glory to God) are included in the resources below.

If reporting usage to CCLI, this song should be listed as Christmas Praise-- regardless of when you use it. :-)

Christmas Praise .pdf file (sheet music)
Christmas Praise .mid sound file (audio sample)
Christmas Praise .pdf file (bulletin insert)
Glory to God .pdf file (sheet music)
Glory to God .mid sound file (audio sample)
Glory to God .pdf file (bulletin insert)

Christmas Praise
Chorus
Glory to God in the highest!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Peace and goodwill and God's favor
On earth tonight,
This holy night.

Verse 1
God's wondrous light
Shines forth tonight.
The angels raise
Their Christmas praise.

Chorus

Verse 2
To all the earth
Proclaim Christ's birth.
To God we raise
Our Christmas praise.

Chorus

Repeat Chorus

Tag
Glory to God in the highest!

Glory to God
Glory to God in the highest!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory to God in the highest!
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Wisdom

©2003 Cheryl A. B. Boydston
CCLI Song #4562931
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 2:1-11
Theme: wisdom, guidance
Key: D
Mood/Tempo: contemplative/medium

This song expresses the deep cry of our hearts to know God and his wisdom, to follow him and be guided by him.

Wisdom .pdf file (sheet music)
Wisdom .mid sound file (audio sample)
Wisdom .pdf file (bulletin insert)

Wisdom
Verse 1
I cry out for wisdom,
Which way should I go?
My life is perplexing,
And I want to know.
So I reach out to open
My Bible that's near,
Praying an answer
Will soon become clear.
As I read, I remember
This truth from your word:
Wisdom begins
With the knowledge of the Lord.

Chorus
Deep, deep, deep in my heart
I want to know you,
Deep in my soul.
Deep in my heart,
Deep in my soul,
I want to know you, Lord.

Verse 2
I cry out to know you
And what you have planned.
Lord, teach me to listen
So I understand
It is when I am willing
To make you first choice
That I can know you
And follow your voice.
Help me humbly remember
This truth from your word:
Wisdom begins
With the knowledge of the Lord

Chorus
Repeat Chorus
Tag
I want to know you, Lord.

Wisdom and Power Forever

©2002 Cheryl A. B. Boydston
CCLI Song #4551791
Scripture Reference: Daniel 2:20-23
Theme: wisdom, knowledge, power
Key: Dm
Mood/Tempo: contemplative/moderate

Wisdom and Power Forever .pdf file (sheet music)
Wisdom and Power Forever .mid sound file (audio sample)
Wisdom and Power Forever .pdf file (bulletin insert)

This song is based on Daniel's canticle of praise, found in Daniel 2:20-23. It is Daniel's heartfelt response to answered prayer, that God has revealed to him the mysteries of Nebuchadnezzar's dream.

This doxology can be used congregationally as a Scripture response or prayer response.

Wisdom and Power Forever
Verse 1
Praise the name of the Lord forever and ever,
For he alone has wisdom and power forever.
The Lord imparts wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who understand.
Praise the name of the Lord forever and ever.

Verse 2
Praise the name of the Lord forever and ever,
For he alone has knowledge of all mysteries.
Our God is surrounded by pure light
And nothing is hidden from his sight.
Praise the name of the Lord forever and ever.

Verse 3
Praise the name of the Lord forever and ever,
For he alone has given us wisdom and strength.
The Lord has revealed his truth to us
And given the answer to our prayers.
Praise the name of the Lord forever and ever.

Tag
Praise the name of the Lord forever and ever.

In the Beginning

©2002 Cheryl A. B. Boydston
CCLI Song #4551643
Scripture Reference: Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3;
Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:3
Theme: creation, the Word, affirmation of faith
Key: F
Mood/Tempo: reflective/medium

Based on passages in Genesis 1 and John 1, we have used this song as an affirmation of faith or as a Scripture response.

In the Beginning .pdf file (sheet music)
In the Beginning .mid sound file (audio sample)
In the Beginning .pdf file (bulletin insert)

In the Beginning
In the beginning was the Word
And the Word was with God.
In the beginning was the Word
And the Word was God.
In the beginning God created
The heavens and the earth.
In the beginning through the Word
All creation sprang forth.

By faith we understand
That at God's mighty command
Earth and sea and sky formed together.
And by faith we understand
That now, sustained by God's hand,
Through the Word creation holds together.
This is our faith.
This is our faith.