We have a contributor today from Arlene Muller, lector & Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St. Pancras Parish, Singer in St. Margaret's Choir, Professed Secular Franciscan at St. Adalbert's Secular Franciscan fraternity, itinerant speech/language Therapist with Preschool Children with Delayed Language Development. Arlene likes to write spiritual reflections in words and song to promote the gospel & the gospel of life. Her song "Anthem of Praise" is song by the Adult & Youth Choirs at St. Margaret's Church.
From Arlene: The following is a CHRISTMAS SONG I am working on. These are the words. The melody is in my head & I can sing it (unfortunately the video of myself singing it a capella that I made is too large for me to share), but I would need help in transcribing it.
Inspired by the example of Don Besig & Nancy Price, who have written songs around traditional hymns & several of whose choral pieces we frequently sing in St. Margaret's Choir, I am incorporating the third verse of "O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, which is very relevant to the rest of my song. The USCCB guidelines recommended writing new settings for traditional hymns.
I am hoping that we will be able to sing it in St. Margaret's Combined Adult & Youth Choirs at our 2026 CHRISTMAS CONCERT.
"COME TO THE MANGER" By Arlene B. Muller
Verse#1:
Once upon à midnight clear/In a little town called BETHLEHEM,
In the stillness of that holy night,
To our cold and dark world came the LORD, our Everlasting Light.
Verse #2:
In the noise and crowds of every inn
There was not one room to let our coming LORD and Savior in.
Just a manger in a hidden cave
Was the only quiet place that could receive this holy Babe.
1st Chorus: very different melody- bright & joyful-change to 3/4 time:
COME TO THE MANGER AND SEE HIM--
GOD IN THE FLESH, PRINCE OF PEACE!
WITH MARY AND JOSEPH, ADORE HIM!
TAKE SOME TIME TO LET "BUSY-NESS"CEASE!
Verse 3 (back to original melody & rhythm/meter):
Not to ivory palaces/Did the message of the angels of the birth of JESUS come;
But to shepherds working in the fields--
To the lowly who would recognize our SAVIOR CHRIST, GOD'S ONLY SON!
Incorporate Verse #3 of O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM (Traditional Hymn):
"HOW SILENTLY, HOW SILENTLY
THE WONDROUS GIFT IS GIVEN.
SO GOD IMPARTS TO HUMAN HEARTS
THE BLESSINGS OF HIS HEAVEN.
NO EAR MAY HEAR HIS COMING,
BUT IN THIS WORLD OF SIN,
WHERE MEEK SOULS WILL RECEIVE HIM STILL
THE DEAR CHRIST ENTERS IN."
Final Chorus - back to melody & 3/4 time of first chorus:
Let us humble our hearts to receive Him--
GOD IN THE FLESH, PRINCE OF PEACE!
Join with heaven and earth to adore HIM,
And find rest in His heavenly peace!
(C)Copyright 2025 by Arlene B. Muller
