Worship resources by Gareth Hill, ‘one of Methodism’s most creative and familiar contemporary hymn writers‘*
Seven songs of Christmas
The story of the first Christmas has captivated writers for hundreds of years. For me, part of the writing process is to imagine myself in a scene and then to wonder before putting anything into words.
Mary’s commitment – made so clear in the early verses of The Gospel of Luke – has always been at the centre of my imagining.
Seeing her, Joseph and the baby in the stable or cave or shed or guest room has been a potent place for imagining:
– Mary and the angel
– Joseph, quietly standing by
– the stable scene
– the first visitors
– the later arrival of the Magi
Perhaps most importantly, I find myself wondering at our own response to God’s astonishing act of grace in sending his son to be Immanuel – God with us.
Here are seven attempts to put some of that into words
We do not look for angel choirs
Mary in the stable (heaven’s waiting room)
This year’s Methodist Advent and Christmas campaign has a focus on Gift, leading up to the birth of Christ – God’s great gift to the world.
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Lyrics and Longings 