Glad Tidings

Words by Ray Boltz, Steve Millikan, and Randy Melson, Music by Steve Millikan and Ray Boltz

In the beginning was the Word
And the Word was with God
In the beginning was the Word
And the Word was God
In Him was Life the Light of men
That shineth in the darkness
The darkness did not comprehend
This Light that dwelt among us

And so it was
The lowly shepherds lay
And suddenly
They heard an angel say
As they were frightened by a great light

CHORUS:
Glad tidings to all the world
Glad tidings we bring
Unto you is born this day Emmanuel
A Savior and a King

The angel said
No need to be afraid
I bring you tidings of great joy
For unto you is born this very day
A Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord

And then the heavens
Were filled with praise

CHORUS (repeat 2X)

©1997 Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by Word Music), Weedom & Reap/ASCAP, and Ramaphone Music/ASCAP (adm. by Addison Music).

The Perfect Tree

Words by Ray Boltz, Music by Steve Millikan and Ray Boltz

The ornaments are ready
The place has been prepared
Strings of lights and holly
Are draped across the chair
The family’s all together
I know where they must be
Everyone is searching
For the perfect tree

CHORUS:
The perfect tree
Grew very long ago
And it was not decked with silver
Or with ornaments of gold
But hanging from its branches
Was a gift for you and me
Jesus laid His life down
On the perfect tree

Mother wants a straight one
The children want it tall
Dad just hopes that somehow
He can get it down the hall
Soon they’ll gather round it
As proud as they can be
But when they’re looking at it
I wonder if they see

CHORUS (repeat)

With all the celebrations
Sometimes the truth is lost
That every step this baby took
Brought Him closer to the cross

CHORUS (repeat 2X)

©1997 Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by Word Music) and Weedom & Reap/ASCAP.

Oh, What A Beautiful Name

Words (chorus) by Ray Boltz and Steve Millikan, Verses by Jean Perry, Music by Steve Millikan, Adapted from the hymn, "That Beautiful Name"

CHORUS:
Jesus, Jesus
Oh what a beautiful name
Jesus, Jesus
Forever will be the same

I know of a name a beautiful name
That angels brought down to earth
To a maiden of lowly birth

CHORUS (repeat)

I know of a name a beautiful name
That unto a baby was given
The stars glittered bright
Throughout that glad night
And angels praised God in heaven

CHORUS (repeat 2X)

©1997 Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by Word Music) and Weedom & Reap/ASCAP.

I Believe In Bethlehem

Words and music by Ray Boltz and Steve Millikan

CHORUS:
I believe in Bethlehem
Shining stars and making friends
Peace on earth goodwill to men
In all the world
I believe in silent nights
Gifts of love and guiding lights
I believe it all began in Bethlehem

In a city far away
Lowly shepherds knelt to pray
In a manager Jesus lay
Shhhh sound asleep
Angels singing in the sky
Mother Mary at His side
Precious gifts from far and wide
At His feet

I believe in Bethlehem
Shining stars and making friends
Peace on earth goodwill to men
In all the world

CHORUS (repeat 2X)

Peace on earth goodwill to men
I believe it all began
In a town called Bethlehem
Bethlehem (I believe)
It all began (I believe)
In Bethlehem

©1997 Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by Word Music) and Weedom & Reap/ASCAP.

The Gift

Words and music by Skip Ewing

For them there were no presents
Around the Christmas tree
No flashing lights unless you count
The lamp across the street
A fire in a barrel
No chimney and no roof
To most of them Santa Claus
Was the man who made the soup

In an alley was a mother
Two children by her side
Trying hard to keep the spark
Of true Christmas alive
She said we may not have some things
That other people do
But Christmas is for everyone
And we’re God’s children too

Oh and Jesus loves you
And so do I
Think about the baby
And the star up in the sky
I don’t think Santa’s comin’
Cause he don’t know where we live
But who needs Christmas presents
We already have the gift

Well early Christmas morning
While they were still asleep
I packed a box of food and clothes
And walked back to their street
Imagine my surprise
When I saw presents all around
Blankets, toys and winter coats
Beside them on the ground
And the card I read from Santa said
Inside the three of you
The real heart of Christmas
Is still beating strong and true

Oh and Jesus loves you
And so do I
Think about the baby
And the star up in the sky
Santa Claus is comin’
Cause he know where real faith lives
But who needs Christmas presents
We already have the gift
Who needs Christmas presents
We already have the gift
Who needs Christmas presents
We already have the gift

©1996 Acuff-Rose Music, Inc./BMI.

Bethlehem Star    

Words and music by Ray Boltz and Mark Pay, Music by Steve Millikan, Ray Boltz, and Mark Pay

When God created the heaven and earth
He said let there be light
And a million shining stars appeared
On the canvas of the night
They all declared the glory
Of the Father up above
But only one startled the way
To His greatest gift of love

CHORUS:
Bethlehem star…How beautiful you are
Shining in the darkness
Guiding strangers from afar
As your light fills the heavens
His love fills my heart
So shine for me my…Bethlehem star

From far away the wise men came
To find the tiny King
In Bethlehem they worshipped Him
And gave their offerings
Star up in the heavens
Without your holy light
They would still be searching
Somewhere in the night

CHORUS (repeat)

I may not be a wise man
And I don’t have much to bring
But my heart is my gift of love
So lead me to the King

Bethlehem star…How beautiful you are
Shining in the darkness
Guiding strangers from afar
As your light fills the heavens
His love fills my heart
So shine for me my…Bethlehem star
Oh that I might worship Him
Shine for me…Bethlehem star

©1997 Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by Word Music), Weedom & Reap/ASCAP, and Screaming Toad Music/ASCAP (adm. by Addison Music).

Go Tell It On The Mountain

CHORUS:
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born

CHORUS (repeat)

While shepherds kept their watchin’
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light

CHORUS (repeat)

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And brought us God’s salvation
That blessed Christmas morn

CHORUS (repeat 5X)

© arr. 1997 Weedom & Reap/ASCAP.

When Her Eyes Are On The Child

Words by Ray Boltz, Music by Steve Millikan and Ray Boltz

There’s a mother whose name is Mary
And she’s traveled very far
But she’s not thinking
About her journey now
There’s a baby in her arms

And when her eyes are on the child
She finds all the strength she needs
All the struggles and the trials
Just turn into perfect peace
She can even stop and smile
When her eyes are on the child

There’s a soldier whose name is Terry
And he’s serving far from home
It’s the first time
That he’s spent Christmas
Far away and all alone

And when his eyes are on the child
He finds all the strength he needs
All the struggles and the trials
Just turn into perfect peace
He can even stop and smile
When his eyes are on the child

There’s a world of lonely people
Chasing love and chasing styles
Oh but how different their lives could be
With their eyes upon the child
And when our eyes are on the child

We find all the strength we need
All the struggles and the trails
Just turn into perfect peace
We can even stop and smile
When our eyes are on the child
We can even stop and smile
When our eyes are on the child

©1997 Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by Word Music) and Weedom & Reap/ASCAP.

Still Her Little Child    

Words and music by Ray Boltz and Steve Millikan

When she laid him in a manger
He was still her little child
In a city filled with strangers
He was still her little child
Though the inn was full
And the night was cold
She held Him close and smiled
When she laid Him in a manger
He was still her little child

When the angels called Him Savior
He was still her little child
When the wise men gave Him treasures
He was still her little child
When the shepherds bowed before Him
A star shone all the while
When the angels called Him Savior
He was still her little child

When He grew in strength and wisdom
He was still her little child
When He spoke the people listened
He was still her little child
When He healed the lame and dying
They would follow Him for miles
And when he grew
In strength and wisdom
He was still her little child

When the people turned against Him
He was still her little child
When they shouted crucify Him
He was still her little child
And when they nailed Him
To a wooden cross
Then we were reconciled
When she held His broken body
He was still her little child
He was still her little child

©1997 Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by ICG) and SonWorshippers/ASCAP (adm. by ICG).

Sent By The Father    

Words and music by Ray Boltz and Steve Millikan

One more time you’ve heard the story
Of our Savior’s birth
Heard how few beheld His glory
When He came to earth
Oh but soon every eye shall see Him
Angels at His side
See Him now on a great white stallion
In the eastern sky

CHORUS:
Sent by the Father
Jesus go and call my children
A trumpet sounds and the angels sing

Like never before
With shepherds and wise men
We humbly bow
And every tongue confess that He is Lord

When He comes in all His glory
Comes to claim His own
We won’t need a star to guide us
We’ll be going home

Once a baby in a manger
No room at the inn
Now a king who reigns forever
Over death and sin

CHORUS (repeat 2X)

©1997 Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP (adm. by Word Music) and Weedom & Reap/ASCAP.