{"id":1850,"date":"2012-12-10T18:38:25","date_gmt":"2012-12-10T18:38:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irreverin.com\/?p=1850"},"modified":"2013-02-12T08:08:39","modified_gmt":"2013-02-12T15:08:39","slug":"to-sing-while-we-wait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/irreverin\/2012\/12\/to-sing-while-we-wait\/","title":{"rendered":"To Sing While We Wait"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Our new baby nephew was born in Kentucky very early this morning. I\u2019m reminded of how much waiting for Christmas\u2013if you do it right\u2013is like the experience of waiting for a real and actual baby. Much anticipation, a little discomfort (more than a little if you are the mother!) and such good news of great joy upon arrival. When the gift of new life comes to any family, it\u00a0affirms\u00a0our hope of a future, and\u00a0the certainty of God\u2019s presence and faithfulness in all things.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sharing an Advent hymn that i wrote a few years ago, inspired by the Worship and Wonder version of the Christmas story. For all y\u2019all pastors and church musicians out there who try to walk the line and compromise between the \u2018we want Christmas now\u2019 set and the \u2018liturgical police\u2019 crowd, this is the best of both words. It\u2019s a familiar Christmas tune (Greensleeves) with Advent-appropriate lyrics. Enjoy, and feel free to share and use; just give me credit for the lyrics, and if you feel so led, you can make a little gift to the Week of Compassion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Way to Bethlehem<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Show us the way to Bethlehem, O Prophet you have spoken.<\/p>\n

You listened in the darkest night, God\u2019s silence now is broken.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0Teach,\u00a0teach us how to wait, for secrets in God\u2019s keeping.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0Lead, lead us to the place where God, the child, lies\u00a0sleeping.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Show us the way to Bethlehem, God\u2019s chosen mother, Mary.<\/p>\n

We wait with you in joy to see the miracle you carry.<\/p>\n

Chorus<\/em><\/p>\n

Show us the way to Bethlehem, you Shepherds in your wonder.<\/p>\n

Your star, a sign that\u00a0peace will come, and evil lie asunder.<\/p>\n

Chorus<\/em><\/p>\n

Show us the way to Bethlehem, all you who know this story.<\/p>\n

The wilderness behind us now, we see God\u2019s waking glory.<\/p>\n

Chorus<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a9Erin Wathen, 2005<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our new baby nephew was born in Kentucky very early this morning. I\u2019m reminded of how much waiting for Christmas\u2013if you do it right\u2013is like the experience of waiting for a real and actual baby. Much anticipation, a little discomfort (more than a little if you are the mother!) and such good news of great […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1154,"featured_media":2458,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advent-and-christmas","category-marriage-and-family"],"yoast_head":"\nTo Sing While We Wait<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our new baby nephew was born in Kentucky very early this morning. 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