Day 35 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – Exalt His Name Unto the Nations

Exalt His Name
Lyric and Music by Douglas C. 
                                    Eltzroth

I know the God who flies with the cherub
Riding on wings made of wind
He broke through the sky, came to take care of
Lost earth-bond souls he calls friends
He’s often found holding the fatherless child
He’s often found crying with widows in grief
He’s often found bathing those most defiled
This is the God I believeI can’t keep silent his name

Chorus:
Exalt his name unto the nations
Until every nation hears us proclaim
Exalt his name unto the nations
Until every nation knows him by name

I know the God who frightens the thunder
With shouts of his anger towards men
Rebuking his foes, his wrath tears asunder
Wounding to heal them within
Yet he’s often found feeding the cold winter sprrow
He’s often found moving great mountains with ease
He’s often found weaving clothes for the lilies 
This is the God I believe
And I can’t keep silent his name

(chorus) 

Bridge:
Until the soldiers lay weapons down
Until their captains bow low
Until he ghetto sings joy-filled sounds
Until each resident knows
This is the God I believe
I can’t keep silent his name

(chorus)

© 1987 Douglas C. Eltzroth c/o www.collage.org

Day 34 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – The Sling of David

Sing of David
Lyric and Music by Douglas C. 
                                    Eltzroth

You say you know the story of the giant that was killed by the little boy
But do you know exactly when and why Goliath fell
In his hand he held a warrior’s spear the shaft as large as I’ve ever seen
And before him stood a soldier’s shield about the size of a limousine
A javelin slung on his back, from head to toe he was covered with brass
A mighty sword tied to his side
Yet he fell because he trusted in these things he held within his own control
In his heart he wore a desire to be served
The giant had a childish desire to be served
So, I sing this song to you
So, I sing this song to me
What do you hold in your hand
Why do you do the things you do
So, I sing this song to you
So, I sing this song to me
What do you hold in your hand
Why do you trust the things you do
The things you own, they don’t belong to you
If you think they do, they’ll soon be owning you
If you’re big enough you think you should be served
Then you’re small enough to get what you deserve
You say you know the story of the child that killed that giant of a man
But do you know exactly when and why young David won
In his hand he held a shepherd’s staff 
that he used each day when he helped his dad
And the clothes he wore that battle day were just everyday little boy clothes
On his side he tied a shepherd’s bag 
and then five smooth stones he placed inside
He threw one from a simple sling
In his heart he had a desire to serve
The child had a giant desire to serve 
So, I sing this song to you
So, I sing this song to me
What do you hold in your hand
Why do you do the things you do
So, I sing this song to you
So, I sing this song to me
What do you hold in your hand
Why do you trust the things you do
When the sling of David became the sling of God
The giant fell
When the things of children become the things of God 
Giants still fall today
May the things I have become the things of God
Like the sling of David became the sling of God
May my heart become his heart
May my ways become his ways
May my thoughts become the very thoughts of God
May my hands become his hands
May my feet become his feet
May everything I am 
All I ever hope to be
Just like the sling of David became the sling of God
May the things I have become the things of God
May the child I am
May the man I am
May the child I am become the child of God 

© 2001 Douglas C. Eltzroth c/o www.collage.org

Day 33 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – Watchman

Watchman
Lyric and Music by Douglas C. 
                                    Eltzroth

Up on the hill there stands a watchman
Looking for the sword of the Lord our God
To come to our land
And when he sees that sword a coming
He’s to warn the people – the sword is here
That’s what God planned

If someone hears the sound of the warning
But doesn’t take it to heart
The watchman is free from any guilt
For he’s done his part

The watchman sees the sword a coming
But doesn’t give the warning
Standing on the hill looking at the people 
Listening to them mourning
The Lord says the blood is required from the watchman’s hand

Up on the hill there stands a watchman
Looking for the sword of the Lord our God
To come to our land
And when he sees that sword a coming
He’s to warn the people – the sword is here
That’s what God planned

He saw the sword 
He warned the people
That’s what God planned…

© 2015 Douglas C. Eltzroth c/o www.collage.org

Day 32 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – On Each New Year’s Day

On Each New Year’s Day
Lyric by Dietrich Bonhoffer
Music by Douglas C. Eltzroth

With every power for good to stay and guide me
Comforted and inspired beyond all fear
I’ll live these days with you in thought beside me
and pass, with you, into the coming year

While all the powers of Good aid and attend us,
boldly we’ll face the future, be it what may.
At even, and at morn, God will befriend us,
and oh, most surely on each new year’s day

The old year still torments our hearts, unhastening:
the long days of our sorrow still endure.
Father, grant to the soul thou hast been chastening
that Thou hast promised—the healing and the cure.

Should it be ours to drain the cup of grieving
even to the dregs of pain, at thy command,
we will not falter, thankfully receiving
all that is given by thy loving hand.

But, should it be thy will once more to release us
to life’s enjoyment and its good sunshine,
that we’ve learned from sorrow shall increase us
and all our life be dedicate as thine.

To-day, let candles shed their radiant greeting:
lo, on our darkness are they not thy light,
leading us haply to our longed-for meeting?
Thou canst illumine e’en our darkest night.

When now the silence deepens for our harkening,
grant we may hear thy children’s voices raise
from all the unseen world around us darkening
their universal paean, in thy praise.

While all the powers of Good aid and attend us,
boldy we’ll face the future, be it what way.
At even, and at morn, God will befriend us,
And oh, most surely on each new year’s day!

© 2015 Douglas C. Eltzroth c/o www.collage.org

Day 31 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – You’re A Friend of Mine

You’re a Friend of Mine 
Lyric and music by Douglas C.
    Eltzroth

Let it now be said
Written down and read
On some future day
When you’re far away
When you feel alone 
Let it then be known
You’re a friend of mine
It’s not so small a thing
That I’ve laughed with you 
It’s not so small a thing
That I’ve cried with you
Because of who you’ve been 
And will be again
You’re a friend of mine

Chorus:
You’re a friend of mine 
You’re a friend of mine
Write that on your heart
Keep it on your mind
And wherever you go
This I want you to know
You’re a friend of mine

Like the winter tree
Hiding not one branch
With you I can be me
My naked soul can chance
Share my deepest pain 
And not be ashamed
You’re a friend of mine
(chorus)
May our love be like wine on your journey
Like bread for your wilderness
May our love come and bind you when you’re hurting 
Soothing your weariness
May our love conquer space conquer distance
With memories in mind
May our love shatter all resistance
And be stronger when 
We are together again
You are my friend
(chorus)
Wherever you go this I want you to know
You’re a friend of mine

© 1981 Douglas C.
                   Eltzroth c/o Collage http://www.collage.org

Day 30 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – I Offer Me

I Offer Me
Lyric and music by Douglas C.
    Eltzroth

I come before (I come before)
Your altar now (Your altar now)
Prepared to give (prepared to give)
My life to Thee (my life to Thee)
My empty hands (my empty hands)
My empty heart (my empty heart)
Stripped of the nets (stripped of the nets)
Entangling me (entangling me)
It’s my desire (it’s my desire)
So start the fire (so start the fire)
I offer me (Ioffer me)

© 1997 Douglas C.
         Eltzroth c/o Collage http://www.collage.org 

Day 29 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, Holy, Holy (That’s the Song)
lyric and music by Douglas C.
Eltzroth

I will join the Lamb, Himself
In worshipping the Father
For like the Lamb I am, myself
a worshipper of God
The Father rejoices when I sing along
Together, our voices sing Heaven’s ancient song

Chorus:

we’re singing,
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!
Holy, holy, holy is God upon His throne
Holy, holy, holy that’s the song He taught me
Now together, we sing
Holy is God and God alone!

Someday, I’ll join the Seraphim
In worshipping the Father
Oh, not unlike the Cherubim
Who worship all day long
From morning ’til morning
The sound of praise is heard
Soaring, still, soaring
Is Heaven’s ancient verse

(chorus)

And now, I join the saved on earth
In worshipping the Father
Praise will find a second birth
In we who have been born again
Sinners, once falling
We stand now as holy saints
We’re just beginners out calling
Heaven’s old refrain

(chorus 2x)

© 1997 Douglas C. Eltzroth c/o http://www.collage.org

Day 28 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – The Word of God

Word of God
Lyric and music by Douglas C.
Eltzroth

It’s inspired
God breathed it
It can be your pathway light
It can teach you 
Rebuke you
Correct and train you in the right
It can take a man of God
And give him all that he needs
To be complete fully able
Equipped to do good deeds

The Word of God
The Word of God

It’s alive 
It is active
Sharper than any two edged sword
Piercing deep into  the life
Separating spirit and soul
Discernment so concise
It can take bone and marrow apart
It’s even able to judge 
The thoughts and intentions of the heart

The Word of God
The Word of God

You should write it on the doorpost 
Of your house and of your gates
You shall whet them make them sharp
Sharp enough to penetrate
You shall wear them on your fingers
Use them as frontals for your eyes
Increase your knowledge
Fear the Lord
Improve your understanding
Let them make you wise
You shall read them – read them in your closet
To your children have them publicly read

The Word of God
The Word of God

It’s alive 
It is active
Sharper than any two-edged sword
Piercing deep into the life
Separating spirit and soul
Discernment so concise
Can take bone and marrow apart
It’s even able to judge 
The thoughts and intentions of the heart

Inspired
God breathed it
It can be your pathway light
It can teach you 
Rebuke you
Correct and train you in the right
It can take a man of God
And give him all that he needs
To be complete fully able
Equipped to do good deeds
The Word of God…

© 1977 Douglas C.
Eltzroth c/o Collage http://www.collage.org 

Day 27 of 37 Days of Christmas 2024 – Cast All Your Praise

Cast All Your Praises
Lyric and music by Douglas C.
    Eltzroth

If you are burdened with trouble and care
Cast all your trouble on Jesus
If you are burdened with trouble and care
Cast all your care upon Jesus

Chorus:

He is willing
He is able
He is willing and able to carry them
He is willing
He is able
He is willing and able
So cast all your burdens on Jesus
Then cast all your praises on Him

If you are laden with worry and fear
Cast all your worry on Jesus 
If you are laden with worry and fear
Cast all your fear upon Jesus

(chorus)

If you’re encumbered with failure and sin
Cast all your failure on Jesus
If you’re encumbered with failure and sin
Cast all your sin upon Jesus

(chorus)

If you are free from your trouble and care
Cast all you praises on Jesus
If you are free from your worry and fear
Cast all your praises on Jesus
If you are free from your failure and sin
Cast all praises on Jesus

(chorus)

Then cast all your praises on Him 
Then cast all your praises on Him

© 1997 Douglas C.
Eltzroth c/o Collage http://www.collage.org 

Day 26 of 37 Day of Christmas 2024 – I Give You Me

I Give You Me
(From ‘Dyin’ to Tell Ya, a musical’)
Lyric and music by Douglas C.
Eltzroth   
Verse 1
I give you me
Yes, it is I
Who offers up this living sacrifice
I give myself
To you my God
I dedicate to serve you with my life
I’m tired of always changing my decision
I’d vow to follow you then look away
My faith just forged its way to clearer vision
In your mercy, Lord, I promise
Hear the words I say
“I give you me”

Chorus:
I give you me
‘Cause nothing less could ever honor you
I give you me
With all my trust
With all my doubts
I give you me
Right now. Right here.
For I’ve learned throughout the years
If my worship is sincere
There’s no way out
But to give you me

Verse 2
I put aside
My selfish rights
I die to make my gift to you alive
I give you me
Entirely
I want to be found pleasing in your sight
Oh, I understand my gift is too unworthy
When held within your hands
Within your gaze
It’s only with my eyes wide to your mercy
That I dare to make this promise
There’s no other way
To give you me!

(Chorus)

(Repeat Chorus)

© 1989 Douglas C.
Eltzroth c/o Collage http://www.collage.org