THE FIVE MODES CAROL (1999)
(This carol celebrates Christ’s Lordship
over the five modes of earthly existence—
Space, Time, Number, Form, and Matter.)
In Bethlehem a dear babe lies,
no place to call His own,
His birthplace hidden in a cave,
to all the world unknown.
Yet from His eyes the stars spring forth,
and endless Space unrolls,
And all this grand immensity
its newborn King extols!
Rejoice and praise Him, ye below!
Sing Glory, ye above!
The Lord of Heaven and Earth has come
to save us with His love!
In Bethlehem a dear babe lies,
all too untimely born,
His life imperiled from the start
by Herod’s kingly scorn.
Yet He is Monarch of all Time,
the Ruler of our years;
He rescues us from earthly loss
and takes away our fears.
Rejoice and praise Him, ye below...
In Bethlehem a dear babe lies,
while ‘neath the angels’ song
A single name is added to
an empire’s teeming throng.
But He is Lord of Number,
and uncounted are His ways;
A billion worlds here below
He holds within His gaze.
Rejoice and praise Him, ye below...
In Bethlehem a dear babe lies,
so tender and so warm,
And beauteous beyond belief
is His new human form.
For He is Master of all Form,
and all things he ordains;
Each rock and tree, each beast and man,
from Him its beauty gains.
Rejoice and praise Him, ye below...
In Bethlehem a dear babe lies,
descended from Above;
From God’s own bosom has He come,
through Mary’s womb of love.
And lo, we find our Savior here,
where we are bound to die;
Lord of all earthly Matter,
come to raise us to the sky.
Rejoice and praise Him, ye below...
lyrics by Dr. Richard H. Overman
copyright © 1999 by Sunset Village Music