Lord, Dismiss (the year) with Thy Blessing

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I was reminiscing about the year that is almost over and reflecting on my blessings. I said, "Lord, dismiss this year with Thy Blessing", and as I did so, the hymn tune #163 came to mind. As I was playing it, I heard another familiar end of year music piece going through my mind and thought it would make a nice counter-melody. I think it really does. I hope you had a wonderful year and are looking forward to a new year with new Blessings to be had.

Christmas Star

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My wife came home from her Relief Society Christmas dinner with this poem in hand. I saw that it was written by anonymous, and after doing a search, I found it to be indeed anonymous. I know it had to have a tune to go with it, so tonight I set down and started playing around. This tune formulated. It would be suitable for a unison choir - either Young Men/Women or adults. I hope you like it.

A diamond shines no brighter than that lovely Christmas star.
It shines in all it's brilliance; it's seen from near and far.

Chorus

A symbol of the Christ child as He lay upon the hay,
It tells to ll the waiting world a King was born that day.

Chorus

Give us strength and hope and courage to do our best by far.
And never falter in our faith as we watch that Christmas star.

Chorus
O Bethlehem Star keep shining.
Give us faith and hope and love.
Keep our thoughts forever turning
to the Savior up above.

Who's on the Lord's Side - Organ,Vocals

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Score PDF - Who's on the Lord's Side
Vocals PDF - Who's on the Lord's Side
Organ - PDF - Who's on the Lord's Side

This is another arrangement of "Who's on the Lord's Side". It is still for TTBB, but instead of a Capella like the other one, this has organ support, and simplifies the men's part. Thanks to Monte Fullmer for helping greatly with the organ transcription. I hope you enjoy it.

O Child of Mary's Tender Care

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I was looking over some public domain Christmas lyrics and this one in particular caught my eye. The words speak of the infant Christ Child and two things stuck out in my mind. First, the illumined eyes. I love that thought. And it is prophetic because His eyes will be illumined in the last days and on judgement day. The second thing that somehow caught caught my attention was that He is the balm for every sorrow that there is. It is comforting to me that through His atonement, He truly is our balm.

I later found out while finalizing this piece that a dear friend who found out weeks ago that he had inoperable cancer passed today. I am grateful that a loving Father in Heaven heard prayers and took Art home with little pain. He truly is a merciful God!
I hope you enjoy this latest offering for Christmas.

O Child of Mary's tender care!
O little Child so pure and fair!
Cradled within the manger hay
on that divine first Christmas day!
The hopes of every age and race
are centered in Thy radiant face!

O Child whose glory fills the earth!
O little Child of lowly birth!
The shepherds guided from afar,
stood worshipping beneath the star,
and wise men fell on bended knee
and homage offered unto Thee!

O Child of whom the angels sing!
O little Child, our infant King!
What balm for every sorrow lies
within those clear illumined eyes!
O precious gift to mortals given
and win us heritage in heaven!

Lamb of God in Manger Lay

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I came up with the tune in five minutes, and then put out a "plea" on social media. Kathy Blanco responded with some lyrics she just came up up with this morning. It was a beautiful match. I hope you enjoy this song.

Lamb of God in manger lay. 
Golden threads of nature's hay. 
Humbled low for men to rise. 
He has come from Heaven's skies. 

"Here Am I", said He with haste 
For mankind to save with grace. 
"Come thou near, and be at peace. 
Let despair from death now cease". 

Jesus came so we may live. 
Jesus came so we can give. 
Glorious would be that sight 
On that holy Christmas night. 

Earth and sky sing now with praise 
On this distant Christmas day. 
Lip to horn, and stick to drum,
Make it known that Christ is come.

Thanksgiving

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These words came to me in a bout of insomnia on Thanksgiving eve. I think they speak of Thanksgiving and everything that we have and to whom we oew our thanks. The music came to me last night and I think pairs well with the words. I hope you enjoy it.

The mountains high, the valleys low.
The sky so blue, the streams that flow.
The flow'rs that bloom and cooing dove.
Are evidence of thy great love.

The air we breathe, the heart that beats.
The tiny child and elderly,
Are giv'n for us through thy great plan,
To walk this earth as mortal man.

The food we eat. the harvest stored,
Reminds us of thy goodness, Lord
With fam'ly 'round, our heads are bowed,
To thank thee for all blessings found.

With Thanksgiving, we recognize,
Thy hand in all thy children's lives.
For everything which thou didst make,
We now enjoy and doth partake.

Fantasia on a Christmas Carol

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This is the old French Carol, "Le sommeil de L'enfant-Jésus" (The Sleep of the Infant Jesus) arranged for piano solo. I hope you enjoy it.