An original hymn for SATB voices with music by Kevin G. Pace and text by Mary Ann Snowball below:
Before the first, small
breath of life On that first Christmas day,
The tiny, baby Jesus knew
He would prepare the way.
From early mornings
gentle sun Till dusks more shadowed cast,
He grew and walked the
dusty paths, And blessed all whom He passed.
He called the fishermen
at sea; He taught upon the Mount.
He was the caring
Shepherd and His lost sheep He did count.
At times He found one
gone astray, Or lost in dark and cold.
Hed listen for a small,
faint cry, Then gather close to hold.
But soon He was the Lamb
Himself, Who died to cleanse our stains.
His
blood He spilt so willingly To take away our pains.
Why
would this man, this perfect Son, Who stands first at the gate,
Desire
to pay that price for us, A sacrifice so great?
His only,
and eternal work, He gave for us in love!
If we
will heed the Shepherds call Well be with Him above.
He
was the sacrificial Lamb, And Shepherd all in one,
For
from his first breath to his last, He was the promised Son.