C 5851 Christ, Be Our Light! Farrell/Arr. raney sAtB w/opt.

7 handbells
& Congregation

Performance/Accompaniment CD — C 5851C

The Joel Raney

c h o R a l Se R i e S

Christ,
Be Our
Light!
A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent

Words and Music by

Bernadette Farrell

Setting by

Joel Raney

hoPe
Since 1892
Publishing company
carol Stream il 60188

www.hopepublishing.com
800-323-1049
ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 1

2
Christ, Be Our Light!
A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent
For S.A.T.B. Voices, Readers and Piano Accompaniment,
with optional 7 Handbells and Congregation
Words and Music by
7 Bells used: D6, E6, F#6, G6, A6, B6 & C7 BERNADETTE FARRELL
Setting by
Lilting gently {q = 126} JOEL RANEY
(+ HB)

# 3 œ
Em œ. œ œ
œ œ œ Dœ œ œ œ. œ œ œ
Am
G

œ œ œ œ. J œ œ œ J
& 4
P
Piano
œ gg œœ
? # 43 gggg œœ & ? gg œ & ˙ ?
œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ
œ œ
5
Em
# œ œ œ œ.
Am
œ œœD
œ œ
Em
œ œ œ œ
& œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙.
J
ggg œœ œ œ œ
? # gg œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ ˙˙ .. ˙.
œ
◊
#P
All Voices Unison
10
& œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ
œ ˙
* 1. Long - ing for light, we wait in dark - ness.
2. Long - ing for peace, our world is trou - bled.
3. Long - ing for food, man - y are hun - gry.
4. Long - ing for shel - ter, man - y are home - less.
5. Man - y the gifts, man - y the peo - ple,
(- HB)
# Em Am D Em

& œ œ œ. j œ. j œ œ. j œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
?# œ
˙ œ ˙ ˙ œ ˙
œ œ œ œ œ
*Verse 1 to be sung for the First Sunday of Advent, vs. 2 - Second Sunday of Advent, vs. 3 - Third Sunday
of Advent, vs. 4 - Fourth Sunday of Advent, vs. 5 - Christmas Eve

© 1993 and this Arr. © 2013 Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Sole Selling Agent of this 2013 arrangement: Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188.
www.hopepublishing.com 800-323-1049
The copying of this music is prohibited by law and is not covered by CCLI, LicenSing, or OneLicense.net.
ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 2

3
14
#
& œ œ ˙ œ œ œ ˙ Œ
œ œ
Long - ing for truth, we turn to you.
Long - ing for hope, man - y de - spair.
Long - ing for wa - ter man - y still thirst.
Long - ing for warmth, man - y are cold.
man - y the hearts that yearn to be - long.

# Am D Em

& œ. j œ œ œ. j œ œ œ œ. j œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ
?# ˙ œ ˙ ˙ œ
œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ

#
18 S.T.

& œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ ˙
A.B.
Make us your own, your ho - ly peo - ple,
Your word a - lone has pow’r to save us.
Make us your bread, bro - ken for oth - ers,
Make us your build - ing, shel - ter - ing oth - ers,
Let us be ser - vants to one an - oth - er,

# œœ
Am
œ.
D Em
˙˙ ..
& œœ œœ j œœ œœ
œ œ œ œœ
œ
? # ˙˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ

#
22 All Voices Unison

& œ œ œ ˙ œ ˙. ˙ Œ
light for the world to see.
Make us your liv - ing voice.
shared un - til all are fed.
walls made of liv - ing stone.
mak - ing your king - dom come.
Am D 11 D9
# œ œ œ œ
& œ œ œ œ. j œ œ œ œœ
œ œ œ œ œ
? # œ˙ . œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙
œ œ ˙˙
œ œ
œ œ
Christ, Be Our Light!
ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 3

4
f
CHORUS
26 S.A. (+ HB)
# ˙.
& ˙. ˙ œ ˙. œ œ œœ ˙. œ œœ œœ
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the
f˙ ˙ ˙. œ œ œœ ˙. œœ œœ œœ
?# .
T.B.
œ
˙.
(+ Congregation)
G G sus G Em Bm Em
# œ .. j œ ˙˙˙˙ œ œ œ œ . jœ œ œ œ œ
& œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œœ œ œ œ. œ œ
f ˙ ˙
?# œ˙ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ

32
# Œ
& ˙˙ .. ˙ ˙. ˙ œ ˙˙ ..
dark - ness. Christ, be our light!
˙. ˙˙ ˙˙ .
?# ˙ œ Œ ˙. ˙ œœ .

œ. j œ œ gg ˙˙˙ œ.
Am D G G sus Em
# œ œ œ œ œ
œ.
œ
œ. j
& œ œ œ œ œ œ gg ˙ œ œ œ œ
œ œ
?# œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ˙ ˙
œ œ œ
œ
œ
œ œ œ œ œ œ
37
# œ Œ bbb
& œ œœ œœ ˙˙ .. œœ œœ œœ ˙. ˙
˙. ˙
Shine in your Church gath - ered to - day.

? # œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ .
.
œœ œœ œœ ˙. ˙ Œ bbb
˙. ˙
j œ œ ˙˙ ..
G/D C2 D 7sus D G (- Congregation)
# bbb
& œœ œœ œœ œœ .. j œ œ œ˙ œ œ œ. œ
œ ˙ œ œ.
œ ˙˙ ..
? # ˙˙ .. ˙ ggg ˙˙ .. œ œ ˙.
bbb
œ œ gg ˙ . œ
Christ, Be Our Light!
ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 4

Responsive Litany begins here - Text on Pgs. 6 & 7

Freely (Handbells tacet until m. 68)
Eb Bb Ab Eb Ab
42
b b . ˙˙ œ ˙˙ .. œ œ œ
G m7

b
& . ˙. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ œ ˙˙ ..
.
p
˙. ˙. ˙. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .
? b b .. .
b
(Piano underscores Responsive Litany and Candle Lighting)

F m7 G sus G Cm G m/B b A m7 b5 ()
b œ
48
& b b œ˙ . œ ˙ ˙
œ ˙˙ .. œ œ ˙ œ
Œ ˙ œ

.
? b ˙˙ . ˙˙ . nœ œ ˙ œ ˙ ˙
bb œ œ nœ œ

Candle Lighting begins here

Text on Pgs. 6 & 7
D7 Gm
˙.
Gm
œ œ œ œ nœ
C m6
œ
bbb
53
& n˙ œ ˙. ˙. .. ..
Œ ˙

˙ œ ˙˙ .
? b œ #œ
bb œ
œ .
& .. .. ˙˙ .. n ˙˙˙ ...
(repeat as needed)

œ œ œ œ œ œ √
n˙. œœ œ œ œ
Gm C m6 Gm C m6 Gm
58
bb b n˙ ˙.
& ..

b . ˙ ˙
& b b ˙˙ . n ˙˙ ... ˙˙ .. n ˙˙ ... ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ? ..

(repeat as needed until

Candle Lighting is finished,
then segue to page 8, m. 64)

Christ, Be Our Light!

ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 5

6
Advent texts by Rev. Rich Davis, Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, River Forest, IL

FIRST SUNDAY - Hope for Those Who Wait

Responsive Litany
Advent is a time for the human heart to wait, while trusting God’s eternal time.
How long, O Lord, how long?
For those waiting for answered prayer:
Grant your steadfast patience.
For those waiting in the face of uncertainty:
Grant unshakable confidence in your sovereign provision.
For those waiting for justice and mercy to reign:
Grant a glimpse of your glory in our wounded world.
For all of us waiting for God’s kingdom to come:
Grant that we might have the peace of Christ as we wait, the love of Christ
as we act, and the grace of Christ as we speak.
Candle Lighting
This morning we light the first candle which reminds us that throughout history, God’s people have
spent time waiting, wandering and wondering about the timing of God’s eternal plan. Like the people
of old, we long for God’s presence to illuminate the areas of life where we are called to wait. This morn-
ing we echo the words of the Psalmist, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)

SECOND SUNDAY - Hope for Those Who Are Weary

Responsive Litany
The Light shines in the darkness,
but the darkness has not overcome it.
During Advent our weary souls seek God’s daily strength.
The Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
We grow weary when fear overshadows faith.
The Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
We grow weary when destructive actions erupt in the world around us.
The Lord gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
For all of us feeling weary this Advent season:
Grant that we might have the peace of Christ as we wait, the love of Christ
as we act, and the grace of Christ as we speak.
Candle Lighting
Today we light two candles. The first candle illuminates patience in the areas of our lives where God
has called us to wait. The second candle extends the promise of strength to all who feel weary and weak
in the shadows of this world. As we continue our Advent journey, may our hope be kindled as the light
grows brighter.

THIRD SUNDAY - Hope for Those Who Are Watching

Responsive Litany
Advent is a time to awaken our spiritual senses.
We stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord, repeat them in our day!
Grant us vision to behold your glory.
We stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord, repeat them in our day!
Quiet us so we may hear your still, soft voice.
We stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord, repeat them in our day!
Make us vessels of your mercy, compassion, and grace.
We stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord, repeat them in our day!
For all of us eagerly watching for your glory in our midst:
Grant that we might have the peace of Christ as we wait, the love of
Christ as we act, and the grace of Christ as we speak.
ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 6

7
Candle Lighting
This morning we light three candles. The first candle reminds us of those who find themselves in a
season of waiting, resting in hopeful anticipation for God to act. The second candle is for anyone feel-
ing weakened and wearied by the circumstances of life. We echo the cry of scripture to renew their
strength and increase their power. The third candle awakens our spiritual senses, challenging us to em-
brace the glory of God, as we await our Savior’s promised coming.

FOURTH SUNDAY - Hope for Those Who Are Wounded

Responsive Litany
Advent is a time to bind up the broken hearted.
Come, Lord, and make all things new.
For past wrongs that prevent us from moving forward:
Come, Lord, and make all things new.
For any bitterness that scratches our soul:
Come, Lord, and make all things new.
For relationships left in decay and neglect:
Come, Lord, and make all things new.
For any action that has wounded us or by which we have wounded others:
Grant that we might have the peace of Christ as we wait, the love of
Christ as we act, and the grace of Christ as we speak.

Candle Lighting
This morning we light four candles. The first candle is the light of hope for those in times of waiting.
The second candle is the light of hope for those who are wearied by the circumstances of life. The third
candle is the light of hope for those eagerly watching for God’s promised glory. The fourth candle is
the light of hope for those who carry the wounds of life. Today we acknowledge our pain and the pain
we have caused others. As the light shines, we turn to the Savior who came to rescue the lost, to help
the hurting, and to bind up the broken.

CHRISTMAS EVE - Hope for Those Who Are Willing

Responsive Litany
Our Savior’s birth is celebrated with bold faith.
May our hearts be willing.
Like Mary, who showed humble surrender:
May our hearts be willing.
Like Joseph, who exhibited unconditional trust:
May our hearts be willing.
Like the shepherds, who displayed awestruck wonder:
May our hearts be willing.
Like the angels, who sang glorious praise:
May our hearts be willing.
For all who are willing to receive the gift of the Savior born in Bethlehem:
Grant that we might have the peace of Christ as we wait, the love of
Christ as we act, and the grace of Christ as we speak.

Candle Lighting
Tonight we light all the candles. The first candle is the hope shining for those worn thin by times of
waiting. The second candle is the hope shining for those worn down with wearied souls. The third
candle captures the hopeful expectation of those eagerly watching for God’s glory in our day. The
fourth candle is the hope of a new tomorrow shining for those seeking freedom from the wounds of
this world. Tonight, we light the Christ candle. This candle radiates the hope of Jesus Christ to all who
are willing to receive it.
ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 7

Eb ()
A m7 b5

j #œ #
Am D sus D7

bbb n œœœ ...

64
nœ œ ˙˙ .. nœ œ
& œœ
œœ nœ œ ˙˙ .. n n œœœ œ. œ nœ

? b
bb œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ nœ n œ nœ œ nœ
œ # œœ #
œ nœ nœ
œ nœ
CHORUS
68
#f œœ
& ˙. ˙ œ ˙. œ œ
Christ, be our light! Shine in our
f
? # ˙. ˙ œ ˙. œ œ œœ
(+ Cong. & H.B.)
G G sus G Em
# j ˙ œ œ
& œ. œ œ œ gggg ˙˙˙ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œ
f
˙ ˙ ˙ œ
?# œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œ œ

72
# ˙.
& ˙. œ œœ œœ ˙˙ .. Œ
˙
hearts. Shine through the dark - ness.

? # ˙ .. œœ œœ œœ ˙˙ . œ ˙˙
˙ Œ
Bm Em Am D
# . œ œ
& œœ . j
œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ œ œ
œ
˙ œ œ
?#
œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ
œ
œ œ œ

Christ, Be Our Light!

ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 8

9
76
#
& ˙. ˙ œ ˙˙ .. œœ œœ œœ
Christ, be our light! Shine in your
? # ˙. ˙ œœ ˙˙ . œ œ œ
. œ œ œ
G G sus Em G/D
# œ .. j ggg ˙˙˙ œ œ.
& œ œ œ œ g ˙ œ œ. j
œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ
?# ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙.
œ œ œ ˙.
œ œ œ
slowing to end
80
# Œ
& ˙˙ .. œ œœ ˙. ˙
œœ œ ˙. ˙
Church gath - ered to - day.

? # ˙˙ .. œœ œœ œœ ˙. ˙ Œ
˙. ˙
slowing to end
# C2 D 7sus D G
œ
& j œ œ œ ˙. œ œ
œœ .. œ œ œ˙˙ œ ˙.
œ ˙.
?# ˙ ggg ˙˙ .. œ
œ œ gg ˙ . œ
84
#P
& ˙. ˙ nœ ˙. ˙.
Christ, be our light!
P
?# ˙. ˙ nœ ˙. ˙.
(- Cong.)
Eb ( ) ˙.
# gg ˙ .. ggg ˙˙˙ ..
F add9
˙.
G
˙.
& gg b ˙˙ . g . ˙.
P œ ggg ˙˙ ..
ggg b b ˙˙ .. ggg n ˙˙ ... œ œ œ ggg ˙ .
? # gg b ˙ . gg n ˙ œ
œ
Christ, Be Our Light!
ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 9

10

CLOSING PRAYER

FIRST SUNDAY
God of all creation, we declare that you are the Eternal One. We confess to you, O Lord,
that we easily grow impatient, when your word to us is to wait. Ignite within us a new
and everlasting hope. We pray this in the name of Christ, our Lord. Amen.

SECOND SUNDAY
God of mercy and compassion, scripture says that if we draw near to you, you will draw
near to us. In a shadowy world where human weakness and weariness reside, we ask for
you to draw near and dispel the darkness around us. May the light of this season illu-
minate our hope, strength, and steadfast endurance as we await the coming Savior. We
pray this in the name of Christ, our Lord. Amen.

THIRD SUNDAY
God of eternity, you called faithful people throughout the ages to behold your glory.
We acknowledge you call us to the same awareness today. We confess at times our
spiritual senses are stifled. Rekindle a new awareness of your everlasting glory. We
stand in awe of your deeds and ask you to repeat them in our day. In Jesus’s name we
pray. Amen.

FOURTH SUNDAY
Merciful God, Advent reminds us that you left heaven’s majesty to walk among
wounded people in a broken world. We thank you that your love knows no bound-
aries or limitations. No wound of this earth is greater than the wounds you came to
heal. For all who suffer this day, light the way, O Lord, towards the promise of heal-
ing and wholeness made known in you. Amen.

CHRISTMAS EVE
O Holy Child of Bethlehem, you are the hope for our hurting and broken world. We
thank you, O God, for guiding us through this season of Advent, shining your light in
the midst of our darkness. As your birth lit up the Bethlehem sky, continue to shine in
our world by dispelling darkness, binding up the broken, and calling forth the faithful.
On this holiest of nights, make us willing to welcome you as our Savior and Lord. We
pray this in the name of our newborn king. Amen

Christ, Be Our Light!

ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 10

11

HANDBELLS
Christ, Be Our Light!
A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent
Music by
7 Bells used: D6, E6, F#6, G6, A6, B6 & C7 BERNADETTE FARRELL
Setting by
JOEL RANEY
˙.
Lilting gently {q = 126}
# 3 ˙. ˙. ˙. ˙. ˙.
˙.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

& 4
P
# ˙. ˙.
VERSE
16
CHORUS
˙. ˙˙ .. ˙.
˙.
8 9 10-25 26 27 28

&
f
# ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ ..
˙.
29 30 31 32 33 34 35

&

# ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ ..
˙. ˙. ˙. bbb
36 37 38 39 40 41

&

14 8 4
Responsive Litany Candle Lighting
#
42-55
b
56-63 64-67

& b b .. .. .. ..
(repeat as needed) (repeat as needed)

CHORUS
# ˙. ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ ..
˙. ˙.
68 69 70 71 72 73

&
f
# ˙˙ .. ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ .. ˙. ˙˙ ..
˙.
74 75 76 77 78 79

&

80
# ˙˙ .. 81
˙˙ .. 82 ˙.
˙.
83 ˙˙ ..
˙.
84-86 3 87
˙.
&
P
© 1993 and this Arr. © 2013 Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP, 5536 NE Hassalo,
Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Sole Selling Agent of this 2013 arrangement: Hope Publishing Company,
Carol Stream, IL 60188. www.hopepublishing.com 800-323-1049
The Publisher grants permission to reproduce this page for performance.
ChristBeOurLight_OctavoTemplate 10/28/13 2:53 PM Page 11

12

Christ, Be Our Light!

A Candle Lighting Ceremony for Advent
Words and Music by
Congregation: BERNADETTE FARRELL
#
& ˙. ˙ œ ˙. œ œ œ
Christ, be our light! Shine in our
# .
& ˙ œ œ œ ˙. ˙
Œ
hearts. Shine through the dark - ness.
#
& ˙. ˙ œ ˙. œ œ œ
Christ, be our light! Shine in your
#
& œ œ ˙. ˙ Œ
˙. œ
Church gath - ered to - day.

© 1993 and this Arr. © 2013 Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP, 5536 NE Hassalo,
Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Sole Selling Agent of this 2013 arrangement: Hope Publishing Company,
Carol Stream, IL 60188. www.hopepublishing.com 800-323-1049
The copyright owner graciously grants permission to copy the above Congregational Part,
for use by your congregation to join in with the choir while they sing this anthem. No other
use of this part is authorized for any other purpose.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE:
Bernadette Farrell’s hymn presents a world yearning for the light of Jesus’s
birth. The purpose of this arrangement of “Christ, Be Our Light!” is to
support the lighting of the Advent candles. It includes a choral opening that
features a separate verse for every week of Advent plus one for Christmas
Eve, followed by a refrain that can be shared by the congregation. A call and
response litany is next, and then a reading to be recited with the lighting of
each candle (all with piano underscore). At the conclusion of the candle
lighting, the choir finishes with the hymn refrain once more. Each weekly
ceremony concludes with a closing prayer. The litanies and prayers, as well
all as the parts for the congregation and handbells, may be reproduced.