ESMA Christmas Songs

From a distance, the world looks blue and green
And the snow-capped mountains white
From a distance, the ocean meets the stream
And the eagle takes to flight

From a distance, there is harmony
And it echoes through the land
It’s the voice of hope
It’s the voice of peace
It’s the voice of everyone

From a distance, we all have enough
And no one is in need
And there is no hurt, no strife, and no disease
No hungry mouths to feed

From a distance, we are instruments
Marching in a common band
Playing songs of hope
Playing songs of peace
They’re the songs of everyone

You are watching us
You are watching us
You are watching us
From a distance

From a distance, you look like my friend
Even though we are apart

From a distance, I just cannot comprehend
What all this arguing is for

From a distance, there is harmony
And it echoes through the land
And it’s the hope of hopes
It’s the love of loves
It’s the heart of everyone

It’s the hope of hopes
It’s the love of loves
This is the song for everyone

And you are watching us
You are watching us
You are watching us
From a distance

Oh you are watching us
You are watching us
You are watching us
From a distance

It was on a starry night
When the hills were bright
Earth lay sleeping, sleeping calm and still

Then in a cattle shed
In a manger bed
A boy was born, King of all the world

And all the angels sang for Him
The bells of heaven rang for Him
For a boy was born, King of all the world (x2)

Soon the shepherds came that way
Where the baby lay
And were kneeling, kneeling by his side

And their hearts believed again
For the peace of men
For a boy was born, King of all the world.

And all the angels sang for Him
The bells of heaven rang for Him
For a boy was born, King of all the world (x2)

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head,
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me Lord Jesus: I ask you to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in your tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with you there.

Come and join the celebration,
It’s a very special day.
Come and share our jubilation:
There’s a new King born today!

See the Shepherds hurry down to Bethlehem,
Gaze in wonder at the Son of God who lay before them…

Come…

Wise men journey, led to worship by a star,
Kneel in homage, bringing precious gifts from lands afar so…

Come…

God is with us – round the world the message bring.
He is with us! “Welcome!” all the bells on earth are pealing.

Come…

I had a dream that I was standing on a hillside
And all the lights of town
were shining far below
When up in the air beautiful voices
Sing a new song, let everyone know​

Oh and love shone down
over the hills and over the valleys,
Oh and love shone down over the world

​Somebody spoke to me
I knew it was an angel
He said there’s something
that I think you ought to know.
Then he just smiled, said don’t be afraid now.
Sing a new song, let everyone know

Oh and love shone down
over the hills and over the valleys,
Oh and love shone down over the world​

And then he told me all about the baby Jesus,
How to find him where exactly I should go.
Then he was joined by millions of others
Sing a new song, let everyone know​

Oh and love shone down
over the hills and over the valleys,
Oh and love shone down over the world

​Well did I dream or was I really on that hillside
On that Christmas night so very long ago,
When he was born Jesus our Saviour
Sing a new song let everyone know

​Oh and love shone down
over the hills and over the valleys,
Oh and love shone down over the world

Once in royal David’s city
Stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.

He came down to earth from heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all;
And his shelter was a stable,
And his cradle was a stall.
With the poor, and mean, and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour holy.

For he is our childhood’s pattern,
Day by day like us he grew;
He was little, weak and helpless,
Tears and smiles like us he knew;
And he feeleth for our sadness,
And he shareth in our gladness.

Not in that poor lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see him, but in heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high
When, like stars, his children crowned
All in white shall wait around.

Midnight – there’s the strangest feeling in the air tonight,
There’s something going on but I can’t make it out,
I wonder what it’s all about?

Starlight – breaking through the darkness in the dead of night,
Illuminates the path that takes you out of sight,
And all the way to Bethlehem.

Tonight’s events were planned in heaven,
The greatest story ever penned.
Heaven and earth have come together,
And life has come to Bethlehem.

Angels – taking care of things that only they can do,
Are waiting in the wings to bring the joyful news,
It’s going to turn the world around.

Strangers – having made arrangements for a night or two,
Have found accommodation in the crowded rooms.
The house is packed in Bethlehem.

Tonight’s events were planned in heaven,
The greatest story ever penned.
Heaven and earth have come together,
And life has come to Bethlehem.

Shepherds – minding their own business looking after things,
Are startled by an unexpected happening,
As angel choirs appear to them.

Wise men – taking charts and telescopes and compasses,
Investigate the star that takes them travelling,
Until they come to Bethlehem.

Tonight’s events were planned in heaven,
The greatest story ever penned.
Heaven and earth have come together,
And life has come to Bethlehem.
x2

And life has come to Bethlehem.

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
Holder Knab im lockigten Harr,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Verse 2 Pronunciation:
Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht! Shtil-leh nockt, hai-lee-geh nockt
Alles schläft; einsam wacht Ah-less shlayft,ine-zahm vockt
nur das traute hoch heilige Paar. Noor dahss trow-teh hoke-hie-lee-geh par
Holder Knab im lockigten Harr, Hole-dair knah-beh eem loh-kee-gehm har
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! Shlahf een him-lih-share rue
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh! Shlahf een him-lih-share rue

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Star of the winter night, where have you been?
Why do you burn so bright, what does it mean?
Star of the winter night, teach me to share your light,
And understand the sight that we have seen.

Chorus
Starlight is spreading across the sky tonight,
We’re reading a message by starlight,
And the message is love!

People of planet Earth, hear what I say:
God sends you Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day!
Comfort and joy he brings, peace, hope and love he sings,
Driving the devil’s wings far, far away!

Chorus
Starlight is spreading across the sky tonight,
We’re reading a message by starlight,
And the message is love!

Stars looking back at me, burning so bright,
Shine through the galaxy, spreading your light!
Fill every part of space with Jesus’ love and grace,
Bless all the human race on Christmas night!

Chorus
Starlight is spreading across the sky tonight,
We’re reading a message by starlight,
And the message is love! X 3

Some words they can’t be spoken only sung.
So hear a thousand voices shouting love.
There’s a place, there’s a time in this life when you sing what you are feeling.
Find your feet, stand your ground, don’t you see right now the world is listening to what we say?

Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you.
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together, make this moment last forever.
Old and young shouting love tonight.

To sing we’ve had a lifetime to wait (Wait, wait, wait)
And see a thousand faces celebrate. (We have to celebrate)
You brought hope, you brought light, conquered fear, no it wasn’t always easy.
Stood your ground, kept your faith, don’t you see right now the world is listening to what we say?

Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you.
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together, make this moment last forever.
Old and young shouting love tonight.

Some words they can’t be spoken, only sung.
To hear a thousand voices shouting love and life and hope.
Just sing. (x2)
Just sing. (Oh, yeah) (x3)

Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you.
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together, make this moment last forever.
Old and young shouting love tonight.

Hear a thousand voices shouting love.