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You have selected: HOLD THE CHILD GENTLY (words by Walter Farquharson) from the Ron Klusmeier Anthology. Subscribers may download arrangements using the links in the right hand column. Log in at left (first link beneath "The Catalogue") to activate the columns on the right.
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Lyrics and Author/Composer Comments are below.
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Lyrics:
Hold the child gently, close to your heart.
Hold the child gently now.
Hold the child gently, safe in your love.
Here is God’s gift to you.
You are the child held close in such love.
You are the child I see.
You are the child I treasure in truth,
bringer of joy to me.
Now in this place see children of mine;
laughter and tears and care.
Each has the face of Bethlehem child;
each does the manger share.
No child of mine should be hungry or cold;
none should be left alone.
Cradle each one, make welcome and warm.
Cradle and welcome me.
Sacred each life wrapped in love’s arms;
apple of eye to me.
Now let the light of Christmas shine forth;
hold and be held by me.
Author / Composer Comments
“Hold the Child Gently” is the title selection from a cantata by the same name. It is suitable for any time during the Christmas Season — Advent, Christmas, Epiphany. The message of the cantata (which is summed up in this piece) is that the Christmas message can be brought into our here-and-now. God takes flesh among us — again and again. This selection works equally well as an anthem or a hymn.