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As we spin on through boundless space – a New hymn for the New Year

As we spin on through boundless space – a New hymn for the New Year

As we spin on through boundless space     
and mark the seasons passing, 
we trust again the Cov’nant grace,
the love that's everlasting.

We carry grief across the years, 
some memories are fading,
while others sharp as broken glass
leave scars beyond evading.

And time will test the strength of loss,
a tensile strand still holds us, 
as love of family, friends and God
are strong, and still enfold us.

So  nothing now that breaks our peace
can once deflect time's arrow, 
that joins us by the grace of God
through every new tomorrow.

Andrew Pratt 21/12/2025
Words © 2025 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.

Metre: 8.7.8.7
Tune: DOMINUS REGIT ME

Holy Innocents’ Sunday – 28th December – A hymn of lament

Holy Innocents’ Sunday – 28th December – A  hymn of lament recollecting Herod’s intention to kill all the young children to rid himself of his perception that Jesus, ‘King of the Jews’ was a threat to his rule.

1	The Prince of Peace has come to earth, 
	we celebrate Messiah’s birth,
	and yet the news is hung with fears,
	and all the world is wrung with tears.
	How long, O Lord, must children cry?
	How long, O Lord, must children die?

2	In Ramah voices once had wept, 
	in quiet children died, not slept,
	and Rachel wandered comfortless 
	consumed by death and deep distress.
	How long, O Lord, must children cry?
	How long, O Lord, must children die?

3	And in a later time a place, 
	a squalid stable formed the space 
	in which a little boy was born 
	that all the powers of earth would scorn.
	How long, O Lord, must children cry?
	How long, O Lord, must children die?

4	The Prince of Peace has come to earth, 
	we celebrate Messiah’s birth,
	and yet we slaughter once again, 
	will death and carnage still remain.
	How long, O Lord, must children cry?
	How long, O Lord, must children die?

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2014 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 8 8 8 8 8 
Tune: MOZART


A hymn for the reality of Jesus’ birth –  Christmas Day

1         Bloodied baby, cradled gently
           at a manger birth.
           Bloodied saviour, injured, dying,
           taking leave of earth.
           Love incarnate demonstrating
           all the depth of human worth.

2         In each death a resurrection
           hidden yet from sight;
           in our life’s humiliation,
           healing, softened light.
           Hope has risen, death no prison,
           love has banished endless night.

3         Slightest light then burning glory
           sets the earth ablaze,
           morning light of love’s own story,
           kindles all our praise;
           in the garden, quietly waking,
           see the Lord of years and days.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2015 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 8 5 8 5 8 7 Tune: ANGEL VOICES

A hymn for Christmas Day - Bloodied baby, cradled gently at a manger birth

1 	Bloodied baby, cradled gently
	at a manger birth.
	Bloodied saviour, injured, dying,
	taking leave of earth.
	Love incarnate demonstrating
	all the depth of human worth.

2 	In each death a resurrection
	hidden yet from sight;
	in our life’s humiliation,
	healing, softened light.
	Hope has risen, death no prison,
	love has banished endless night.

3 	Slightest light then burning glory
	sets the earth ablaze,
	morning light of love’s own story,
	kindles all our praise;
	in the garden, quietly waking,
	see the Lord of years and days.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2015 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 8 5 8 5 8 7
Tune: ANGEL VOICES



God is with us – Mary and Joseph becoming parents of Jesus

God is with us – Mary and Joseph becoming parents of Jesus

1	God is with us, Joseph heard it,
	in a dream in deepest sleep:
	Mary's child, they'd call him Jesus,
	now he had a vow to keep;
	bound together in God's purpose,
	he and Mary made their way
	to the census in the city,
	waiting for God's chosen day.
	
2	So they pause within the tension;
	fallow moment, time to pray;
	parents looking for protection,
	what would follow day on day?
	Tiny fingers, gurgles, crying,
	Mary feeding as they go,
	God is with them in this baby,
	God would learn and God would grow.
	
3	Enigmatic gift and promise,
	Mary pondered in her heart,
	Joseph just as challenged, puzzled, 
	had to learn a father's part.
	Now we look back on the story,
	time contracted, one life's span, 
	Jesus human, here among us, 
	terror waits as life began.

Andrew Pratt (born 1948) based on Matthew 1:18-25
Words © 2015 © Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd.
Metre: 8 7 8 7 D
Tune: AUSTRIA