To the tune of Hyfrydol (“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”); also works with Beach Spring and Jefferson
By Joanna Harader (2022)

Through the line of Joseph, Mary,
Tamar, Judah, Rahab, Ruth,
Comes a savior for the nations,
born Messiah of humble birth.
God’s eternal presence with us
Through the ages grace imparts.
Holy power in fragile infant
Resting in his parents’ hearts.

Mary welcomes Holy Spirit
In her life and in her womb.
Fear gives way to awe and wonder,
Holding space and making room.
God’s eternal presence with us
In that ancient time and land.
Holy power in fragile infant
Resting there in Mary’s hands.

Joseph, open to the myst’ry
Heeds his dream of angel voice,
Keeps his promise, holds in honor
Mary his belov’d, his choice.
God’s eternal presence with us
In that home made safe and warm.
Holy power in fragile infant
Resting there in Joseph’s arms.

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Alternate first version for those using Expecting Emmanuel (or otherwise focusing on the women of Jesus’ geneaology)

Through the line of Mary, Tamar,
Rahab, Ruth, Uriah’s wife,
Comes a savior for the nations,
Given birth and giving life.
God’s eternal presence with us
Through the ages grace imparts.
Holy power in fragile infant
Resting in ancestral hearts.

Mary welcomes Holy Spirit
In her life and in her womb.
Fear gives way to awe and wonder,
Holding space and making room.
God’s eternal presence with us
In that ancient time and land.
Holy power in fragile infant
Resting there in Mary’s hands.

Women open to the myst’ry
Claiming power, taking space.
Birthing love, enacting justice,
Living lives of fearless faith.
God’s eternal presence with us
Through the generations moves.
Holy power in fragile infant
Resting in maternal love.

(Permission is granted to use these words for worship with attribution: “Words by Joanna Harader from SpaciousFaith.com.”)