Cards and songs

I can't decide on a Christmas card picture. There were just so many I loved for different reasons. So I've decided to post the ones I don't use every few days, a long with a favorite Christmas hymn or two. I love the hymns at Christmas, especially the 3rd and 4th verses. No kidding. Have you read/sung them? They are usually my favorite, which is a shame, because carolers always stop after verse one and then move into a lively Rudolph.

The "Very Savannah" Christmas Card

All my heart this night rejoices

All my heart this night rejoices.
As I hear Far and near
Sweetest angel voices.
"Christ is born,"
their choirs are singing
Till the air Everywhere
Now with joy is ringing.

Forth today the Conqueror goeth,
Who the foe, Sin and woe,
Death and hell, o'erthroweth.
God is man, man to deliver;
His dear Son Now is one
With our blood forever

Shall we still dread God's displeasure,
Who, to save, Freely gave
His most cherished treasure?
To redeem us, he hath given
His own Son From the throne
Of his might in heaven.

He becomes the Lamb that taketh
Sin away And for aye
Full atonement maketh.
For our life his own he tenders;
And our race, By his grace,
Meet for glory renders.

Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweet, Doth entreat:
"Flee from woe and danger,
Brethren, from all ills that grieve you
You are freed; All you need
I will surely give you.

Come, then, banish all your sadness,
One and all, Great and small;
Come with songs of gladness.
Love him who with love is glowing;
Hail the star, Near and far
Light and joy bestowing.

Dearest Lord, thee will I cherish.
Though my breath Fail in death,
Yet I shall not perish,
But with thee abide for ever
There on high, In that joy
Which can vanish never.

This is based on a German Christmas carol composed by Johann Gerg Ebeling in the 15th century. It was translated into English by Catherine Winkworth. Go here to hear the hymn. And btw, like many old hymns, we only sing a fraction of the verses--this one had 11!