Prepare the Way, O Zion (Tune: BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN)

Prepare the way, O Zion;
Your Christ is drawing near!
Let ev’ry hill and valley a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory, fore told in sacred story.
Oh, blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

He brings God’s rule, O Zion; he comes from heav’n above.
His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, peace, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding,
for grace and joy abounding.
Oh, blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

Fling wide your gates, O Zion;
your Saviour’s rule embrace.
His tidings of salvation proclaim in ev’ry place.
All lands will bow before him, their voices will adore him.
Oh, blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

Text: Frans Mikael Franzen (1772-1847)
Tune: BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN 76 76 77 + Refrain

Children of the Heavenly Father

1. Children of the heavenly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.

2. God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.

3. Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.

4. Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.

5. Lo, their very hairs He numbers,
And no daily care encumbers
Them that share His ev’ry blessing
And His help in woes distressing.

6. Praise the Lord in joyful numbers:
Your Protector never slumbers.
At the will of your Defender
Ev’ry foeman must surrender.

Text: Caroline V. Sandell-Berg (1832-1903), tr. Ernst W. Olson (1870-1958)
Tune: TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA, LM (Swedish melody)

O Store Gud (Sweden)

See also the English version: How Great Thou Art

O store Gud, när jag den värld beskådar,
Som du har skapat med ditt allmaktsord,
Hur där din visdom leder livets trådar,
Och alla väsen mättas vid ditt bord.

Kör

Då brister själen ut i lovsångsljud:
O store Gud! O store Gud!
Då brister själen ut i lovsångsljud:
O store Gud! O store Gud!

När sommarvinden susar över fälten,
När blommor dofta invid källans rand,
När trastar drilla i de gröna tälten,
Vid furuskogens tysta, dunkla rand (Kör)

När jag i bibeln skådar alla under,
Som Herren gjort se’n förste Adams tid,
Hur nådefull Han varit alla stunder,
Och hjälpt sitt folk ur livets synd och strid (Kör)

När slutligt alla tidens höljen falla,
Uti åskådning byter sig min tro,
Och evighetens klara klockor kalla,
Min frälsta ande till dess sabbatsro (Kör)

Background Information: Swedish / English

Text: Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940), first published in Mönsterås-Tidningen (1886)
Musik: Svensk folk­mel­o­di, San­nings­vitt­net, 1891.

Gaudete (Finland/Sweden)

Refrain:

Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus
Ex Maria virgine, gaudete!

Tempus adest gratiæ
Hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina lætitiæ
Devote reddamus. (Refrain)

Deus homo factus est
Natura mirante,
Mundus renovatus est
A Christo regnante. (Refrain)

Ezechielis porta
Clausa pertransitur,
Unde lux est orta
Salus invenitur. (Refrain)

Ergo nostra contio
Psallat lam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino:
Salus Regi nostro. (Refrain)

Words & Music: Piae Cantiones (1582)