Hot off the press, brand new tune for carol!

Original tune, WONDER, by Vince Treadway

I have been delighted with the response to my hymn tune writing challenge. My friend Vince Treadway, organist extraordinaire and composer, from a PCA church in Lake Wales, Florida, has written the first tune and named it WONDER. All you pianists out there, sit down and play it and let me know what you think. I think Vince has captured a good deal of the sense of wonder I was thinking of as I wrote the poetry.

I was richly blessed this morning as I made some deliveries in my truck, singing and meditating on Watts' greatest of all carols, Joy to the World (Psalm 98). May Jesus rule and reign in all our hearts and may the wonder of his love, his truth and grace, fill our hearts afresh this Christmas season. Here's the hymn poetry and Vince's original, fresh from his imagination, musical score, WONDER. May it fill us with wonder at the incarnation of Jesus!

What wonder filled the starry night
          When Jesus came with heralds bright!
I marvel at His lowly birth,    
          That God for sinners stooped to earth.
       
His splendor laid aside for me,
          While angels hailed His Deity,
And shepherds on their knees in fright
          Fell down in wonder at the sight.

The child who is the Way, the Truth,
          Who pleased His Father in His youth,
Through all His days the Law obeyed,
          Yet for its curse His life He paid.         
         
What drops of grief fell on the site
          Where Jesus wrestled through the night,
Then for transgressions not His own,
          He bore my cross and guilt alone.

What glorious Life arose that day
          When Jesus took death’s sting away!
His children raised to life and light,
          To serve Him by His grace and might.

One day the angel hosts will sing,  
          “Triumphant Jesus, King of kings!” 
Eternal praise we’ll shout to Him
          When Christ in splendor comes again!

                             Douglas Bond (December 16, 2010)