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If I Could Visit Bethlehem

Author: Brian A. Wren Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 2 hymnals

CAROL STREAM

Meter: 8.6.8.6 D Appears in 1 hymnal Composer and/or Arranger: Hal H. Hopson Tune Key: G Major Incipit: 51323 15557 16455 Used With Text: If I Could Visit Bethlehem

IF

Meter: 8.6.8.6 Appears in 1 hymnal Composer and/or Arranger: Michael Burkhardt Tune Key: F Major Used With Text: If I Could Visit Bethlehem

Instances

Published text-tune combinations (hymns) from specific hymnals

Author: Brian Wren Hymnal: Worship and Song #3063 (2011) Meter: 8.6.8.6 D Lyrics: 1 If I could visit Bethlehem what presents would I bring? If I could see what happened then, what would I say or sing? I wouldn't take a modern toy but gold to pay for bread, some wine to give his parents joy and wool to warm his bed. 2 I'd learn some simple words to speak in Aramaic tongues. I'd cradle him, and kiss his cheek, and say, "I'm glad you've come." If Mary asked me who I was and what her child would do, I wouldn't talk about the cross or tell he all I knew. 3 I'd say, "He'll never hurt or kill, and joy will follow tears. We'll know his name and love him still in twenty hundred years." I cannot visit Bethlehem but what I can, I'll do: I'll love you, Jesus, as my friend, and give my life to you. Topics: Bethlehem; Bread; Friendship; Giving; Jesus Christ Birth and Baptism; Jesus Christ Cross; Joy; Light; Love (Human); Music and Singing; Non-Violence; Service Music Offertory; Simplicity; Speech; Tongues; Wine; Bethlehem; Bread; Christian Year and Observances Christmas; Friendship; Giving; Jesus Christ Birth and Baptism; Jesus Christ Cross; Joy; Light; Love (Human); Music and Singing; Non-Violence; Service Music Offertory; Simplicity; Speech; Tongues; Wine Scripture: Psalm 30:3 Languages: English Tune Title: CAROL STREAM

If I Could Visit Bethlehem

Author: Brian Wren Hymnal: If I Could Visit Bethlehem #21 (2000) Meter: 8.6.8.6 Languages: English Tune Title: IF

People

Authors, composers, editors, etc.

Brian A. Wren

b. 1936 Person Name: Brian Wren Author of "If I Could Visit Bethlehem" in Worship and Song Brian Wren (b. Romford, Essex, England, 1936) is a major British figure in the revival of contemporary hymn writing. He studied French literature at New College and theology at Mansfield College in Oxford, England. Ordained in 1965, he was pastor of the Congregational Church (now United Reformed) in Hockley and Hawkwell, Essex, from 1965 to 1970. He worked for the British Council of Churches and several other organizations involved in fighting poverty and promoting peace and justice. This work resulted in his writing of Education for Justice (1977) and Patriotism and Peace (1983). With a ministry throughout the English-speaking world, Wren now resides in the United States where he is active as a freelance lecturer, preacher, and full-time hymn writer. His hymn texts are published in Faith Looking Forward (1983), Praising a Mystery (1986), Bring Many Names (1989), New Beginnings (1993), and Faith Renewed: 33 Hymns Reissued and Revised (1995), as well as in many modern hymnals. He has also produced What Language Shall I Borrow? (1989), a discussion guide to inclusive language in Christian worship. Bert Polman

Hal H. Hopson

b. 1933 Composer of "CAROL STREAM" in Worship and Song Hal H. Hopson (b. Texas, 1933) is a prolific composer, arranger, clinician, teacher and promoter of congregational song, with more than 1300 published works, especially of hymn and psalm arrangements, choir anthems, and creative ideas for choral and organ music in worship. Born in Texas, with degrees from Baylor University (BA, 1954), and Southern Baptist Seminary (MSM, 1956), he served churches in Nashville, TN, and most recently at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. He has served on national boards of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and the Choristers Guild, and taught numerous workshops at various national conferences. In 2009, a collection of sixty four of his hymn tunes were published in Hymns for Our Time: The Collected Tunes of Hal H. Hopson. Emily Brink