Author: ppadmin

by Ken Sehested

O Truth Untamed, all boundaries bow before You
All borders bend according to your Word
O grant that every bitter heart be harbored
In sheltered cove, with Mercy’s flag unfurled
Hearken and haste, Desire of every nation
Refresh the heart of hope too long deferred.

Let every mountain call to meadowed valley
And every stream, to ocean grand and wide
Let fertile ground announce the new creation
When all shall come, ’cross every great divide
O bell of liberty ring out for freedom
Break every slaver’s chain, with hope confide

Click the title to go to lyrics

Doxology

Joy to the World

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent

by Ken Sehested

Another year is dawning, dear Abba let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee
Another year of hopefulness, another year of praise
Another year of trusting Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace
Another year of longing: Thy Reign come now with haste
Another year of nursing upon Thy loving breast
Another year of trusting, of confidence confessed.

by Ken Sehested

We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star

Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

O wounded town of Bethlehem
How sad we see thee cry
Above thy curfewed, empty streets
The belching tanks roll by

Yet from deep memory springeth
The hope of all the years
God’s kingdom come
God’s will be done
On earth, relieved of tears

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org

Written April 2002 on the campus of Bethlehem University, Occupied West Bank of Palestine, where our 2002 Christian Peacemaker Teams delegation took refuge (after being stopped by Israeli soldiers) while attempting to walk into Bethlehem during a curfew (Israel’s “Operation Defensive Shield” invasion of the Occupied West Bank).

by Ken Sehested
(sung to the tune "Old Hundredth")

Oh, Blessed One, choired angels sing
Of life surrendered, offering
The power to bless as blessed we are
To welcome strangers near and far.

Oh, Ancient Promise, tune thine ear
To pain and suff’ring, linger near.
Cast off the rule of wail and woe.
Thy tender love on us bestow.

by Ken Sehested

O Come, thou fount of Mercy, come
And light the path of journey home
From Pharaoh’s chains grant liberty
From Herod’s rage, confirm thy guarantee
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O Come, thou Watchful Keeper, bestow
Glad heart, warm home to creatures below
Give cloud by day and fire by night
Guide feet in peace with heaven’s delight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

by Ken Sehested

Favor and affection contending
’Til the work of wrath confess
Steadfast love and faith embracing
Righteousness and peace caress
Magi wend their way to advent star aligned
Dwelling place of God earth-consigned

Wolf and lamb now linger, contented
Calf and lion peaceful arrayed
Cow and bear graze restful and fearless
Little child now marshaling parade
Roots from severed tree erupt, oh meek proclaim
Holy Mountain’s knowledge and Name

by Ken Sehested

Joy to the world! Salvation comes. Let earth rise up in praise
Let every heart prepare Christ’s Way
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns. Let every voice report
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.