Baptised into being, the Lord of creation (Matthew 3:13-17)
1 Baptised into being, the Lord of creation:
the dove is descending the Spirit has come,
it soars and it swoops on the face of the waters,
Christ blessed in that moment, his mission begun.
2 Here John the Baptiser will pass on the baton,
though harsh and prophetic, his message, refined,
will gain a new purpose, as Jesus will challenge:
the powers and authorities now undermined.
3 But that will come later, for now for the honing
of all his integrity, knowledge and skill,
the Christ is cast out to the wilds of the desert,
where animals forage and hunger can kill.
4 And on his return he will live as God with us,
humanity clothed with both loving and grace,
to temper all justice with mercy, compassion,
a model of life for the whole human race.
5 And when will we walk in the steps of this master?
And when will we emulate what we see there:
inclusive and limitless love for creation
where all is of value and all deserve care?
Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2011 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: 12 11 12 11
Tunes: ST CATHERINE’S COURT
Tag: love
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
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
The sound of history humming – ‘a thief within the night’?
The sound of history humming – but what next, ‘a thief within the night’?
Matthew 24: 43
1 The sound of history humming,
as light and matter form,
as galaxies are clustered
within a cosmic storm;
philosophers imagine
while science gathers facts,
we reach for understanding,
yet what we know contracts.
2 We delved beyond the present
through interstellar gas;
we fathom, seek to measure,
a sub-atomic mass.
The God that we conceive of,
a thief within the night,
we cannot gauge this treasure
beyond the scale of light.
3 As yet the mystery blinds us,
confined by birth and death,
but human exploration
will not discard the quest;
as yet we live in tension:
the only earth we know
is where all skill and science
must help our love to grow.
Andrew E. Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2006 © 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: 7 6 7 6 D
Tune: AURELIA; VICTORY PARADE (Ian Sharp)
A hymn in anticipation of Advent – The crash of constellations
A hymn in anticipation of Advent - The crash of constellations
1 The crash of constellations,
where prejudice divides,
where love is torn and broken,
where hatred still resides,
is where we meet as equals
and share what God has given,
diversity in concord,
a foretaste of God's heaven.
2 This is the time for praying,
yet prayer is not the end,
for reconciliation
needs grace that God will send.
And in that grace our vision,
our eyes are opened wide,
to see Christ in the other,
and then we must decide:
3 Is love of God yet greater
than human words and creeds?
Is love of neighbour furnished
by human loving deeds?
And can we live together
or must we be apart,
because of human diff'rence
though we are one in heart?
4 God give us grace to fathom
the riches of your care,
and then the strength to shoulder
the ministry we bear;
that working with each other
acknowledging the worth
of love we share together
we'll spread your peace on earth.
Andrew Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2009 © 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: 7 6 7 6 7 6
Tune: THORNBURY
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