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Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 10.10.10.10 Appears in 2 hymnals First Line: Spirit-child Jesus, in joyful refrain Lyrics: 1 Spirit-child Jesus, in joyful refrain, echoing songs over Bethlehem's plain, what will we do when the carols all fade? "Take up my song: Glory! Be not afraid!" 2 Spirit-child Jesus, in animal shed, smiling at shepherds from strange borrowed bed, what will we do when the manger's away? "Take up my story, and live it each day!" 3 Spirit-child Jesus, in starry white light, twinkling on evergreens, shiny and bright, what will we do when the branches are shorn? "Take up my cross that for you I have borne!" 4 Spirit-child Jesus, in vigilant eyes, awaiting the gift bearing Love's great surprise, what will we do when the presents are done? "Take up my presence, for I am God's Son!" 5 Spirit-child Jesus, in hot tongues of flame, melting the candle alight in your name, What will we do when the candle is gone? "Take up my light! Pass it on, pass it on!" Topics: Bethlehem; Bidding; Crowns; Discipleship and Service; Eyes; Fears; Fire and Flame; Giving; Glory; Hearts; Jesus Christ Birth and Baptism; Joy; Light; Manger; Music and Singing; Night; Palms; Presence (Christ); Service Music Offertory; Sharing; Shepherd; Spirit/Soul; Stars; Surprise; Vigil; Watchfulness; Worship; Bethlehem; Bidding; Christian Year and Observances Christmas; Crowns; Discipleship and Service; Eyes; Fears; Fire and Flame; Giving; Glory; Hearts; Jesus Christ Birth and Baptism; Joy; Light; Manger; Music and Singing; Night; Palms; Presence (Christ); Service Music Offertory; Sharing; Shepherd; Spirit/Soul; Stars; Surprise; Vigil; Watchfulness; Worship Scripture: Luke 2:6-7 Used With Tune: SPIRIT-CHILD

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SPIRIT-CHILD

Meter: 10.10.10.10 Appears in 2 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: John D. Horman Tune Key: G Major Incipit: 35144 43514 34565 Used With Text: Spirit-Child Jesus

Instances

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Spirit-Child Jesus

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Hymnal: Come Away with Me #10 (1998) Meter: 10.10.10.10 First Line: Spirit-child Jesus in joyful refrain, Topics: Jesus Celebrating Jesus through the liturgical year, not just at Christmas Scripture: John 1:14 Languages: English Tune Title: SPIRIT-CHILD

Spirit-Child Jesus

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Hymnal: Worship and Song #3062 (2011) Meter: 10.10.10.10 First Line: Spirit-child Jesus, in joyful refrain Lyrics: 1 Spirit-child Jesus, in joyful refrain, echoing songs over Bethlehem's plain, what will we do when the carols all fade? "Take up my song: Glory! Be not afraid!" 2 Spirit-child Jesus, in animal shed, smiling at shepherds from strange borrowed bed, what will we do when the manger's away? "Take up my story, and live it each day!" 3 Spirit-child Jesus, in starry white light, twinkling on evergreens, shiny and bright, what will we do when the branches are shorn? "Take up my cross that for you I have borne!" 4 Spirit-child Jesus, in vigilant eyes, awaiting the gift bearing Love's great surprise, what will we do when the presents are done? "Take up my presence, for I am God's Son!" 5 Spirit-child Jesus, in hot tongues of flame, melting the candle alight in your name, What will we do when the candle is gone? "Take up my light! Pass it on, pass it on!" Topics: Bethlehem; Bidding; Crowns; Discipleship and Service; Eyes; Fears; Fire and Flame; Giving; Glory; Hearts; Jesus Christ Birth and Baptism; Joy; Light; Manger; Music and Singing; Night; Palms; Presence (Christ); Service Music Offertory; Sharing; Shepherd; Spirit/Soul; Stars; Surprise; Vigil; Watchfulness; Worship; Bethlehem; Bidding; Christian Year and Observances Christmas; Crowns; Discipleship and Service; Eyes; Fears; Fire and Flame; Giving; Glory; Hearts; Jesus Christ Birth and Baptism; Joy; Light; Manger; Music and Singing; Night; Palms; Presence (Christ); Service Music Offertory; Sharing; Shepherd; Spirit/Soul; Stars; Surprise; Vigil; Watchfulness; Worship Scripture: Luke 2:6-7 Languages: English Tune Title: SPIRIT-CHILD

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Mary Nelson Keithahn

b. 1934 Author of "Spirit-Child Jesus" in Come Away with Me Mary Nelson Keithahn, a retired United Church of Christ ordained pastor and church educator, has been a curriculum writer-editor, journalist, and lyricist for musical dramas and anthems. She still works out of her home in Rapid City, South Dakota, as a free-lance writer. In 2016 she published Elfie: Adventures on the Midwest Frontier, a chapter book for children, and Embracing the Light: Reflectioins on God’s Holy Word, a collection of meditations for individual or small group use. Augsburg Fortress also published Sing the Stories of God’s NEW People, the third in a trilogy of Bible story-based collections of songs for young children, written with her longtime colleague, John D. Horman. The two have written over a hundred hymns together, some of which are included in these hymnals and supplements: Community of Christ Sings, God’s Mission, God’s Song, Hymns of Heritage and Hope, Lift Up Your Hearts, Sing Justice! Do Justice, Sing the Faith, Singing Our Savior’s Story, Singing the New Testament, The Faith We Sing, Upper Room Worshipbook, Voices Found, Voices United, and Worship and Song. They have also published four collections of their hymns: Come Away with Me and Time Now to Gather (Abingdon, 1998), The Song Lingers On (Zimbel, 2003), and Faith That Lets Us Sing (Wayne Leupold Editions, 2017). Mary is a Life Member and former board member of Choristers Guild and a Life Member of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. She is also a member of ASCAP. In 2006 she received a Distinguished Achievement Award from her alma mater, Carleton College in Northfield, MN, in recognition of her work in composing text for religious music. Mary was married to the Rev. Richard K. Keithahn, a U.C.C. pastor, and widowed in 1986. She has three children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. --mnk