December 6, 2005

Have faith in God –
Be not now dilatory;
Have faith in God –
Proclaim the Saviour’s glory;
Have faith in God –
And tell His old love story.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

The Birthday of a King

Words and Music by William Harold Neidlinger, 1863-1924

    For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6.

    William H. Neidlinger, born in Brooklyn, New York in 1863, became the organist at St. Michael’s Church in New York City as an adult. In 1898, he traveled to London and Paris to study music. He returned to America in 1901, settling in Chicago, then founded a school in East Orange, New Jersey. He edited numerous song books, especially for children, and was known as a music theorist and educator.

In the little village of Bethlehem,
There lay a Child one day;
And the sky was bright with a holy light
O’er the place where Jesus lay.
Alleluia! O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
’Twas the birthday of a King.

’Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much
God gave to us that day,
From the manger bed what a path has led,
What a perfect, holy way.
Alleluia! O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
’Twas the birthday of a King.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission