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COMMENT: A CHRISTMAS ROUND
Congregations enjoy singing rounds - and not simply the children! The verse below is written to fit the well-known tune 'Frère Jacque' The tune is so constructed that a congregation may be divided into two - with the second group starting half-way through. The tune may also be sung by four groups, one starting at the quarter, the next at the half, and the last at the three-quarters. (Before singing it as a round, it may be necessary for everyone to sing it through once to get the tune. This could be done before the service starts to avoid too much musical direction within the worship itself.) The words are deliberately simple enough not to require them to be printed or displayed. If the leader says them twice that should be sufficient. Those who are familiar with the style and role of 'worship songs' might note that sung at about half speed it could be used as a worship song. If sung by four groups, the diminishing volume of the final line dwelling - as it would - eight times on 'God with us', could lead into silence or 'open worship'.

A CHRISTMAS ROUND
Suggested Tune: 'Frère Jacque' (Trad.) Come and worship, come and worship, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, Baby in a manger, baby in a manger, God with us, God with us.

If you find that the 'round' style works with your group/congregation, it is not difficult to write lines for other seasons, for example at Easter:

Christ is risen! Christ is risen!
from the dead, from the dead.
Death has no dominion, death has no dominion
Over us! Over us!

and:
Here we worship, here we worship
Christ as Lord, Christ as Lord,
Risen and ascended, risen and ascended,
Glorified, glorified.

John Richards, 2003, Copyright waived for users of Help for Christians.co.uk