Third Sunday in Advent
Presents get wrapped with tape and glue,
Tidy parcels neatly wrapped,
Names on labels with “love from”,
O hush the noise,
Let’s hear the angels sing.
We’ve sorted gifts and who needs what,
What will they like, what will be good?
But are there more we need to include?
O hush the noise,
Let’s hear the angels sing.
What of those alone, adrift, forgotten and neglected?
What of those whose life’s been hard?
What gift of help needs wrapping too?
O hush the noise,
Let’s hear the angels sing
From Methodist Church Advent Liturgy 2024
Now listen to John Rutter's All Bells in Paradise
Click link above and then select All Bells in Paradise
Chrissy says “All Bells in Paradise” is one of my favourite pieces by John Rutter. It is wonderful to sing and it builds up after each verse. It is simply about bells ringing to announce the saviour's birth and makes a welcome change from the usual Christmas Carols.
Deep in the cold of winter,
Darkness and silence were everywhere;
Softly and clearly, there came through the stillness
a wonderful sound to hear:
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring;
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth a heavenly King.
All bells in paradise I heard them ring:
‘Glory to God on high' the angel voices sing.
Lost in awe and wonder,
Doubting I asked what this sign might be:
Christ our Messiah revealed in a stable,
A marvellous sight to see.
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring;
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth a heavenly King.
He comes down in peace, a child in humility,
The keys to his kingdom belong to the poor;
Before him shall kneel the kings with their treasures,
gold incense and myrrh.
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Sounding in majesty the news that they bring;
All bells in paradise I heard them ring,
Welcoming our Saviour, born on earth a heavenly King.
All bells in paradise I heard them ring:
‘Glory to God on high' the angel voices sweetly sing