Last year I signed up to do a 12 song challenge organised by Resound Worship. I’ve just submitted my first song, which is sadly unfinished, but as its different to how I would normally write I’m quite pleased about it.

The Road From Bethlehem
Richard Stringer
Key: C

Verse 1:

The sky above is silent, is heaven silent too?
As the sound of Rachel’s weeping replaces angel praise
And soldiers go from door to door searching for the child
Whilst the tyrant waits with bated breath for the death of David’s son
In Bethlehem.

Verse 2:

In a dream the baby’s family is warned to take their flight
‘Take the child to Egypt’ far from those who’d take his life
For those whose sacrifice ensures he’ll live to be full grown
He’ll pay in full upon the cross where the tyrant has his throne
Jerusalem

Chorus:

When the Christmas lights have faded, where will our focus be
Will it be with those in power or those who’re forced to flee
The dispossessed, the homeless, the beggar at our door
Or will our hearts be hardened like so many times before.

Verse 3:

And then the time had come for the child to return
The one who wished to take his life no longer on the throne
In Nazareth he found a took his place a carpenter by trade
And he grew in favour with god and man as the prophets had foretold
The Nazarene