"Behold, an angel . . . Behold, a virgin . . . Behold, wise men . . . Behold, the star . . ."

... and so it goes, over and over, from the first words of Matthew until the final chapter of Revelation proclaims "Behold, I am coming soon". The new Testament writers tell us a story that is so unlikely, occurring in a setting so commonplace, that they continually punctuate their account with demands to "Look!" "See!" "Behold!" And especially, we are asked to see how God came to man, and how He dwells with us, and how He promises to return for all to see.

Poets and writers and artists in every time have obeyed the urging to "behold!" Their artistic responses resonate with unparalleled wonder and poignancy and include some of the most familiar and treasured works in all cultures.

In Advent we bring these treasures forth to reflect and ponder and celebrate. Overheated contemporary commercial concerns, or whimsical songs about sleigh rides or gifting or chesnuts, cannot eclipse the hope and yearning found in these Advent songs:

Come quickly, Lord Jesus. We need You.

Get CDs, previews, downloads, or streams at:

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NOTE TO FAITH LUTHERAN MEMBERS:CDs and download cards will be available at Faith on Sundays and Wednesdays during Advent, or ask Paul.

For many years I've spent Saturdays writing, arranging, and selecting music for Faith Lutheran's contemporary worship services. Alone in a spare bedroom crowded with instruments (and interrupted by cats), I regularly record new songs or arrangements. By 2017 I'd accumulated so many songs on my hard drive that Advent songs alone were enough to fill an album. With only my own uneven singing, and accompanying myself with varying levels of skill on guitars, keyboards, winds, the results are sometimes sketchy (in a literal sense, just song sketches). But they all had something I could not keep to myself, and I hope they may be a blessing to your time of Advent expectation. 12 November 2017

Jesus made His appearance to humble and culturally invisible people in an occupied, powerless nation. Today many of his followers serve the powerless and invisible in our community in Jesus' name. In particular, Lutheran Family Services provides counseling; mental and physical health services; pharmacy access; and in-depth refugee resettlement assistance to low-income and immigrant neighborhoods here in Lincoln Nebraska. ALL proceeds from the sale of these songs goes to benefit their ministry.

Track List

All vocals and instruments performed by Paul Marxhausen.

Of The Father's Love Begotten: this plainchant melody from a 13th century Sanctus summons up a sense of the eternal. It seemed to require an ever-deepening drone and a sense of immense space. Author: Aurelius Clemens Prudentius; Translator: H. W. Baker; Translator: J. M. Neale Tune: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM.
We Three Kings: This song has some great lyrics that are often overlooked. The verse about myrhh suggesting "gathering gloom" and being "sealed in the stone cold tomb" are a chilling reminder of Christ's mission. With a strong melody, and an interesting minor/major key structure, it did not need any "jazzing up", I just grabbed my guitar and followed it where it wanted to go. Author: John H. Hopkins (1857) Tune: KINGS OF ORIENT
Behold a Branch Is Growing: hymns that are stuck in a 4/4 march reveal their beauty when allowed to be more lyrical and song-like. This “Twelfth Night” German carol from the Rhineland region combines the story of Luke 1-2 and Matthew 2 with Isaiah's prophecies about the "rose" from the "stem of Jesse " (Isa. 11:1; 35:1-2). Stanzas 1 and 2 are a combination of folklore ("amid the cold of winter") and Christological interpretation of Isaiah 11:1 and 35: 1-2. Stanza 3 introduces imagery from John 1. Originally "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen," the carol may date back to the fifteenth century. Translator (sts. 1-4): Harriet Reynolds Krauth Translator (st. 5): John Caspar Mattes
The Advent of Our God: The major-key energy that drives a lot of punk bands is perfect for these breathless lyrics. "Come, Zion's daughter, rise!" Author: Charles Coffin; Translator: John Chandler (alt.) Tune: ST. THOMAS (Williams) Composer: George Frideric Handel; Composer: Aaron Williams (1763)
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear: Bruce Cockburn's superb album "Christmas" passed along to me the poignancy of doing this song in a minor key. This works especially well with the world-weary lyrics, but I wanted to explore an arrangement on classical guitar. Composer: Richard Storrs Willis
Once In Royal David's City: Another tremendous melody that flies when accompanied with fingerpicking instead of big stomping chords. The lyrics that remind us of Christ's childhood are charactaristic of the author, who wrote songs extensively for children. Author: Cecil Frances Alexander Tune: IRBY Composer: Henry J. Gauntlett (1849)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: A classic, maybe THE classic English Christmas carol. Why a song with such solid English roots feels so comfortable with a reggae accompaniment is a mystery to me. Source: English carol, 18th cent.; English carol
Let Our Gladness Have No End: This song is REALLY exuberant, if you allow it to run the way it wants to. I would give a great deal to hear what it sounded like in 15th century Bohemia. Unlike the more casual productions included here, this was fully scored on computer so that I could program the more challenging rhythmic parts. Author: G. Kuchariki Tune: NARODIL SE KRISTUS PÁN (Bohemian 15th century)
O Come O Come Emmanuel: I recently discovered how stunning this familiar song is when chanted in the original Latin and hope to have our singers perform it so this coming Christmas. But the interpretation here owes a lot to Erin Bode's excellent jazz-inflected work and gave me a chance to use a chord riff I'd been jamming with for decades. Translator: John Mason Neale (1851) Tune: VENI EMMANUEL (Chant)
O Little Town of Bethlehem: I wasn't going to try to improve on what is the best interpretation of this song with the original melody "St. Louis": that of a congregation singing it. But the dancing English feel of the alternate melody "Forest Green" recalled my fondness for Jethro Tull's "Songs from the Woods"-era music, which is the influence here. A real flute - and flautist - would be a great improvement over my huffing on a valveless fife and sopranino recorder, but it was fun. Author: Phillips Brooks (1868) Tune: FOREST GREEN English Traditional Melody
Baby in a Barn: our worship team has made wonderful use of this original song of mine in services over the years. I wanted to revisit it stripped down to one guitar and voice. I stumbled on a couple remarkable sounds on a recently acquired keyboard that sweeten the bare bones of the song. Words & Music Paul Marxhausen ©2017

The Year of Our Lord: At the close of Advent and after the rush of Christmas, I look back at how God has moved in my life in the preceding year. This reflective song was one of those songs I invested lots of time writing and reworking, but the guitar and vocal were a quick live demo track I recorded. I liked that result enough despite some mistakes that I just added the quiet extra bass and drums, and when I was almost done mastering this album, I suddenly knew the last chorus needed a big acoustic piano to join in there. Paul Marxhausen ©2017




behold

1. Of The Father's Love Begotten	Aurelius Clemens Prudentius	2:18
2. We Three Kings			John H. Hopkins			2:13
3. Behold A Branch Is Growing		Traditional			3:30
4. The Advent Of Our God		Charles Coffin			1:31
5. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear	Edmund H. Sears			3:40
6. Once In Royal David's City		Cecil Frances Alexander		3:00
7. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen		Traditional			3:51
8. Let Our Gladness Have No End		G. Kucharik			1:53
9. O Come O Come Emmanuel		Traditional			4:07
10. O Little Town			Phillips Brooks			2:40
11. Baby In A Barn			Paul Marxhausen ©2017		4:16
12. The Year of Our Lord		Paul Marxhausen ©2006		5:25