I’ve just finished running an All Age Carol service. An All Age Carol service takes the format of the 9 Lessons and Carols that is well known in the English speaking and England-linked parts of the world at Christmas as its starting point. One tells the story of the Christmas Day events and what they mean through readings and carols. For All Age, I put new words to existing  worship songs known to the congregation as well as use familiar meaning ful carols (it is possible for familiar carols still to have meaning!). I’ve put a few examples here that we used today. These may of use to others.

If you like them as and use them, you might like to make a donation to our Parish’s Community Development arm in Cape Town, The Warehouse.

1) To the Tune of ‘Our God is a Great Big God’, a song about God’s promise to Abraham:

God promised to Abraham

God promised to Abraham

God promised to Abraham

‘You’ll have children like the stars’

As many as the grains of sand

Upon the widest beach

As many as the stars in space

Beyond a telescope’s reach.

And you’re one and I’m one

Since before the world began

How wonderful to be a part of God’s amazing plan.

Our God is a great big God

Our God is a great big God

Our God is a great big God

And he holds us in his hands.

Written by Jo & Nigel Hemming

© 2001 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire)

CCLI Song Number 3373437

2) To the tune of ‘Worthy You are worthy, much more worthy’, a song sung to the infant Jesus:

Beauty, I see beauty, in the face of this small child.

Beauty, see God’s beauty, in the birth of this small child.

And I believe that you have come in mercy to this earth.

The beauty of God’s love is shown to us in this, your birth.

CHORUS

Your beauty, your beauty, your beauty

Your beauty thrills my soul;

My worship overflows.

Your beauty, your beauty, your beauty

Your beauty thrills my soul;

My worship overflows.

Written by Reuben Morgan

© 2005 Hillsong Publishing

CCLI Song Number 4433417

3) To the tune of “Jesus Christ, I think upon your sacrifice’:

Jesus Christ, I think of you in Bethlehem

You became nothing, a baby in arms.

Humbly born, delivered there in poverty,

Stripped of all power, obscure and unknown.

But once you came, and once you lived among us on earth;

We once again remember what was meant by your birth:

Once you came to save us,

Once you came to lay down your life.

Thank you for your birth

Thank you for your birth

Thank you for your birth, my Lord.

Thank you for the cross

Thank you for the cross

Thank you for the cross, my friend.

Written by Matt Redman

© 1993 Thankyou Music

CCLI Song Number 1564362