“Sound Forth the News” (of Feminist Christmas Carols!)

Last year, I first shared some seasonal feminist musical resources around Christmas.  They feature the words of my friend Rev. Jann Aldredge-Clanton from her work on Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians.  I’m sharing some of them here again this year, especially for anyone who is looking for rich, creative, and inclusive words to inhabit comforting and familiar tunes.

The version of “Sound Forth the News That Wisdom Comes” that I posted last year was recorded by Shannon Kincaid.  This year, I share a recording of the words (sung to the tune of “Joy to the World”) by Vocal Divine at A Woman’s Eye (AWE) Gallery at herchurch in San Francisco:

About the words, Jann says:

The book of Proverbs depicts Wisdom as a female image of the Divine: “She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with Her. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all Her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of Her; those who hold Her fast are called happy” (Proverbs 3: 15, 17-18).

“Sound Forth the News That Wisdom Comes” calls us to co-create with Wisdom a world of peace, justice, equality, love, freedom, and joy.

Here is Vocal Divine (never mind the people milling about):

And here are some of Jann’s lyrics:

Sound forth the news that Wisdom comes

to bring new life to birth.

Arise with hope, Her labor join,

and peace shall fill the earth,

and peace shall fill the earth,

and peace, and peace shall fill the earth.

 

No more let fear and custom hide

the path of Wisdom fair.

She leads the way to life and joy,

with gifts for all to share,

with gifts for all to share,

with gifts, with gifts for all to share.

May the joyful words add to your celebrations this week.