A brand new Christmas carol celebrating the birth of Jesus and encouraging the listener to bring their treasures, burdens, and lives as gifts to Him.
Choir and Orchestra | Grade 4 | 7:30
Performance materials coming soon!
For the 2022 Community Choir and Orchestra Christmas Cantata
NDSCS Cultural Center, Bremer Bank Theater, Wahpeton, ND
Kent Loken, Director
About the piece
The world premiere was on December 10, 2022. The performance also included What Child Is This?, in addition to others.
Words by Paul Cravens & Meg Cravens
Music by Paul Cravens
Lyrics
What can I bring for Jesus? What can I bring for His birthday?
Some bring their treasures, their silver and gold, oil and spices, and riches untold.
But I have none such as these; I have nothing fit for a king.
What could I give of the little I have that would make any difference to Him?
And yet, He says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Even a cup of water can make all the difference to someone in need.
And when we give to them, we give to Him, and He’s worthy of it all.
Could we give away our treasures and exchange them for better in the next life?
How long before we come to the peace that can be found if we dare to lay them down
At the feet of Jesus?
What can I bring for Jesus? What does He ask of me today?
He asks for our burdens, our sorrow and woe, our fears, our failures, and problems untold.
But who would want such as these? How are these things fit for a king?
Why should the troubles of someone like me make any difference to Him?
And yet, He says, “Come to me,
All who are weary, all who are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
And when we come to Him, our hearts are freed, and our heavy loads made light.
Could we give away our sorrow for the hope of tomorrow and a boundless joy?
How long before we come to the peace that can be found if we dare to lay them down
At the feet of Jesus?
O Spirit, show me how to lay them down!
O Spirit, give me strength to lay them down!
Bring your treasures to the manger, bring your burdens to the cross;
But surrender to the Savior is the greatest gift of all!
This I can bring to Jesus: I put my trust in Him today.
I wanted to give, but now I know that you can’t out-give the Maker of all.
This I receive from Jesus: the grace He gives so freely.
I can’t pay it back, but I can pass it on, and that makes all the difference to Him.
And so, He says, “Go into all the world, teaching them of me.”
And at the name of Jesus, sins are forgiven, and chains are released.
And I will live for Him since He died and rose and lives for me.
Could we give up our ambitions in exchange for the commission of the one true King?
Could we give our very lives, here and now, for the promise of eternity?
How long before we come to the peace that can be found if we dare to lay them down
At the feet of Jesus!
Paul Cravens 