A metrical Gloria for Christmas. I always feel that going back to an ordinary time congregational Gloria on Christmas Night/Day is a bit of an anti-climax. Hopefully this will provide some excitement, especially if a good organ arrangement and descant can be used.
The verses follow the text of the Gloria as closely as possible, with three 'festive' refrains.
Alexander Crawford, after the ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo’
Tune: Sussex Carol
All glory be to God on high
And peace to all beneath the sky.
Our praise and blessing now we bring,
In worship of our glorious King.
Glory to God, who made the earth,
And brought Jesus our Lord to birth!
All praise to Christ, his only Son,
For all our sin he has undone.
O grant us mercy, Lord, we pray,
Receive our humble prayer today.
Glory to Christ, our glorious Lord,
Blessèd Saviour, incarnate Word!
All glory to the Holy One,
To Christ alone, the Most High Son,
Who reigns with Holy Spirit, Lord,
And with his Father, glorious God!
Glory to God, who made the heavens,
Now and forevermore. Amen!
Traditional
Glory be to God on high
And in earth peace, goodwill towards men, We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee, for thy great glory O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father,
have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord;
thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Modern
Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; You are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
