We sang at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gawler this morning, Dorothy & I. It went pretty well. It was a good service with lots of good singing. Community singing in Australia is in decline, but don’t tell the people who worship on Second Street in Gawler. We sang some of Robin Mann’s better songs — ‘Comfort Comfort’, ‘Bread of heaven’, ‘There’ll be peace’ — led predominantly by the superb voice & style of Dorothy Mann!
But before the sermon we sang Shirley Erena Murray’s ‘Star child’ (Carlton Young’s music). What a great song — a prayer for Christmas to become a reality for everyone, combined with a delight & praise for the ‘star-child, earth-Child, go-between of God’ What a fabulous last verse:
‘Hope-for-peace Child, God’s stupendous sign,
down to earth Child, Star of stars that shine:
And 3 verses full of compassion for children in many different situations: ‘street child, beat child …sad child, lost child … spared child … wise child’
I think it’s terrific when a song like‘Star-Child’, so full not only of beauty, but also wisdom, insight & compassion, should be so widely loved.
