Carols by the Lake

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Carols by the Lake is a free community event and we thank you for coming. If you would like to donate toward assisting a family in need this Christmas - that would be amazing too. Donations can be made at The Link Information Tent or via the donate button. Please also find our Carols SONGBOOK for you to join in on the Carols! - Merry Christmas from The Link Church.

Angels We Have Heard on High

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o'er the plains

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Glory to God in the highest

Come to Bethlehem and see

Christ whose birth the angels sing

Come, adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord the newborn King

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Angles sing for Christ our King

Stars rejoice so we will sing

Glory to God in the highest

Glory to God in the highest.

Angles sing for Christ our King

And rejoice so we will sing

Glory to God in the highest

Glory to God in the highest.

Gloria in excelsis Deo

Glory to God in the highest

Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum

A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,

rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,

When we come

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum

I am a poor boy too,pa rum pum pum pum

I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum

That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,

rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum

On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum

The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum

I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum

I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,

rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum

Me and my drum

rum pa pum pum!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

God rest ye merry, gentlemen,

Let nothing you dismay,

Remember Christ our Saviour

Was born on Christmas day,

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray;

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Let heaven and nature let them sing

Joy to the world for the newborn King

From God our heavenly Father

The blessed angels came.

And unto certain shepherds

Brought tidings of the same,

How that in Bethlehem was born

The Son of God by name:

O tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and Joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

Let heaven and nature let them sing

Angels we’ve heard on high

Singing their sweet reply

Let every heart rejoice

And lift up their voice

Let heaven, Let heaven

Let Heaven Let Heaven

Let heaven and nature let them sing

Joy to the world to the world

Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood

Each other now embrace;

the merry time of Christmas

is drawing on apace:

O tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and Joy

O tidings of coooommfort and joy

heaven and nature let them sing

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of the Year

It's the most wonderful time of the year

With the kids jingle belling

And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"

It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the hap-happiest season of all

With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings

When friends come to call

It's the hap- happiest season of all

There'll be parties for hosting

Marshmallows for toasting

And carolling out in the snow

There'll be scary ghost stories

And tales of the glories of

Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year

There'll be much mistltoeing

And hearts will be glowing

When love ones are near

It's the most wonderful time of the year

There'll be parties for hosting

Marshmallows for toasting

And carolling out in the snow

There'll be scary ghost stories

And tales of the glories of

Christmases long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year

There'll be much mistltoeing

And hearts will be glowing

When love ones are near

It's the most wonderful time

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer

Had a very shiny nose

And if you ever saw it,

You would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer

Used to laugh and call him names.

They never let poor Rudolph

Join in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve

Santa came to say: (Ho-Ho-ho)

"Rudolph with your nose so bright,

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then all the reindeer loved him

As they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,

You'll go down in history!

Well Rudolph he didn't go for that

He said "I see through your silly games"

How could you look me in the face

When only yesterday you called me names?

Well all of the other reindeers man

Well they sure did feel ashamed

"Rudolph you know we're sorry,

We're truly gonna try to change"

Rudolf Red Nose again.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear

That glorious song of old

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled

And still their heavenly music floats

O'er all the weary world

"Peace on the earth and goodwill to men

From heavens gracious King!"

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world has suffered long

Beneath the blessed angel strain have rolled

Two thousand years of wrong

"Peace on the earth, goodwill to men

From heavens gracious King!"

O hush the noise ye men of strife

And hear the angels sing

Peace on Earth, good will to men

From Heaven's gracious King

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angel's song

The First Noel

The first Noel the angel did say

was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay:

in fields where they lay keeping their sheep

on a cold winter's night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

born is the King of Israel.

They all looked up and saw a star,

shining in the east, beyond them far:

and to the earth it gave great light,

and so it continued both day and night.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

born is the King of Israel.

Now let us all with one accord

sing praises to our heavenly Lord,

who brought forth heaven and earth from nought,

and with his blood mankind has bought.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

born is the King of Israel.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,

born is the King of Israel. Born is the King of Israel

O Come, All Ye Faithful

O come all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant,

Oh come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;

come and behold him,

Born the King of angels:

O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord.

Sing, choirs of angels,

Sing in exultation,

Sing all ye citizens of heaven above Glory to God

Glory in the highest

Ohohohohohohohohohohohohooooh

Ohohohohohooohohohohohohooooh

Yea Lord we greet thee

Born this happy morning

Jesus to thee be all glory given

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing

Ohohohohohohohohohohohohooooh

Ohohohohohooohohohohohohooooh

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow

In a one-horse open sleigh

o’er the fields we go

Laughing all the way.

Bells on bob-tail ring

Making spirits bright

What fun it is to ride and sing

A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way,

Oh what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh, O

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way,

Oh what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Tis the season to be jolly

Dorn we now our gay apparel

Falalalalalalala bar

Sing the ancient yule tide carols

Falalalalalalalala

Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring

Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun

Now the jingle hop has begun

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time

Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell

Square

In the frosty air.

What a bright time, it's the right time

To rock the night away

Jingle bell time is a swell time

(To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh)

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your

feet

Jingle around the clock

Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feat

(That's the jingle bell,)

That's the jingle bell rock.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list

And checking it twice;

Gonna find out

Who's naughty and nice

Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you're sleeping

He knows when you're awake

He knows if you've been bad or good

So you better be good for goodness sake!

Better be for goodness sake

You better watch out!

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

We Three King

We three kings of Orient are,

Bearing gifts we travel afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder Star

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,

Gold I bring to crown Him again;

King forever, ceasing never,

Over us all to reign

O, star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

Glorious now behold Him arise,

King and God and sacrifice,

hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Sounds through the Earth and skies.

I’m gonna need, gonna need that perfect light

Yeah I’m gonna need gonna need that perfect light

Let your light shine let your light x6

Star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light.

Guide us to thy perfect light

Yeah I’m gonna need gonna need that perfect light

Let your light shine, let your light

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King,

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful, all ye nations rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with angelic hosts proclaim,

'Christ is born in Bethlehem'

Hark! The herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King.

Christ, by highest heaven adored,

Christ, the everlasting Lord,

late in time behold him come,

offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

hail, the incarnate deity,

pleased as Man with man to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel!

Hark! The herald angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King.

Hark! The herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King.

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of peace!

Hail the Son of righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

born that man no more may die,

born to raise the sons of earth,

born to give them second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King.

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

At the Christmas Party Hop

Mistletoe hung where you can see

Every couple tries to stop

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Let the Christmas spirit ring

Later we'll have some pumpkin pie

And we'll do some carolling

You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear

Voices singing, "Let's be jolly,

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Have a happy holiday

Everyone dancin' merrily

In the new old-fashioned way

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Let your heart be light

From now on your troubles will be out of sight,

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Make the Yuletide gay

From now on your troubles will be miles away

Here we are as in olden days

Happy golden days of yore,

Faithful friends who are dear to us

They gather near to us once more, ooh

Through the years we all will be together and

If the fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bow,

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Here we are as in olden days

Happy golden days of yore,

Faithful friends who are dear to us

They gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together and

If the fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bow

And have yourself a merry little Christmas

And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary

And gathered all above

While mortals sleep

The angels keep their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King And peace to men on earth

O holy Child of Bethlehem

Descend to us we pray

Cast out our sin and enter in

Be born in us today

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell

O come to us abide with us

Our Lord Emmanuel

Away In A Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head,

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky,

and stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay

close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

and take us to heaven, to live with thee there.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head,

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,

the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Silent Night

Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

round the virgin mother and child,

Holy infant so tender and mild,

sleep in Heavenly peace,

sleep in Heavenly peace.

Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight.

Glories stream from Heaven afar,

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,

Christ, the Saviour, is born,

Christ, the Saviour, is born!

Oh Jesus our Lord and saviour

How can this be the high King of heaven

asleep in the straw

Oh Jesus our hope and salvation

The hope of the nations

asleep in this manger

Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, loves pure light

Radiant beams from thy Holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord at thy birth

Jesus, Lord at thy Birth

Oh Jesus our Lord and saviour

How can this be the high King of heaven

asleep in the straw

Oh Jesus our hope and salvation

The hope of the nations

asleep in this manger

The hope of the nations

asleep in this manger

O Come O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel

O come, Thou Key of David, come

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of all mankind

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease

And flood the earth with heavens perfect peace

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel

We Wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring,

To you and your kin,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

And a Happy New Year.

Mary Did You Know

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Would someday walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered

Will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby

You've kissed the face of God

The blind will see

The deaf will hear

The dead will live again

The lame will leap

The dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your baby boy

Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

Is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding

Is the Great I Am

O Holy Night

O Holy night!

The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees,

O hear the angel voices!

O night divine,

O night when Christ was born

Truly He taught us to love one another.

His law is love and His Gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His Name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy Name!

Christ is the Lord

And we shall ever praise Him

His power and glory evermore proclaim

He shall reign for ever and ever

He shall reign forever

Fall on your knees,

O hear the angel voices!

O night divine,

O night when Christ was born

O night divine,

O night, O Holy night!

What Child Is This

What Child is this, who laid to rest

On Mary's lap is sleeping

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing!

Haste, haste to bring Him laud

The Babe the Son of Mary

So bring Him incense

Gold and myrrh come peasant

King to own Him

The King of kings

Salvation brings, let loving hearts

Enthrone Him

Raise, raise a song on high!

The virgin sings her lullaby

Joy, joy for Christ is born

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing!

Haste, haste to bring Him laud

The Babe the Son of Mary

Nails, spears shall pierce Him through

The Cross He bore for me, for you

Hail, hail the Word made flesh

The Babe the Son of Mary

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see

Joy To the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come:

let earth receive her King!

Let every heart prepare him room,

and heaven and nature sing,

and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

We will sing sing sing

Joy to the world

We will sing sing sing

Joy to the world!

the Saviour reigns:

let men their songs employ, their songs employ

while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,

repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

We will sing sing sing

Joy to the world

We will sing sing sing

He rules the earth with truth and grace,

and makes the nations prove

the glories of his righteousness

and wonders of his love, and wonders of His love

and wonders, and wonders of his love.

We will sing sing sing

Joy to the world

We will sing sing sing

Joyful Joyful Lord we adore the

God of Glory Lord of Love

Hearts unfold like flowers before the

Opening to the Sun above

Songbook

Christmas Message

We hope you been enjoying Carols by the Lake 2023 – We wanted to share with you as we do each year a Christmas message.

We love looking at the word of the year – it is usually determined by how many times a word has been searched up or shared from various dictionaries around the world.

A few of the ‘word of the year’ words for 2023 have been announced – see if you agree with their popularity - they are – ‘artificial intelligence’ or AI, authentic and ‘rizz’ which is an abbreviation of the word charisma.

Here in Australia the word Matilda seems to have made it to the top of the charts – and it was pretty amazing watching the Tillies play in the world cup this year.

Here at Carols by the Lake we have our own word for the year, and it is the word CHEER. Not just any cheer but GOOD CHEER. We love a good cheer – let’s give one now ….. and even deeper than that is the character of good cheer.

As we sing carols tonight it is a beautiful reminder that good cheer can be shared with everyone. We are all so different – as we discovered earlier with the cheers for the different suburbs or teams or families we represent.

And yet we come together tonight to relax and celebrate with GOOD CHEER. To join together with love, laughter, songs, food, generosity and smiles. Let’s pause and reflect on the power of good cheer, a genuine smile, a helping hand and the beauty of empathy. Each of us can be a light in someone’s life – to offer hope and bring joy - GOOD CHEER.

In the true essence of Christmas , let’s carry this spirit of good cheer beyond specific moments of celebration, beyond our amazing Carols night, beyond the Matilda moments in the FIFA world cup, or Australia’s world cup cricket victory, and allow good cheer to guide our actions, shape our interactions and unite us in a collective effort to create a world where kindness and good cheer are part of our everyday.

In the Bible Jesus spoke a number of times about GOOD CHEER. Encouraging us to have hope, keep the faith and look to live life joyfully.

So, as we gather together in these last few Carols tonight, let’s remember Jesus, He is the greatest gift ever given and He is the reason we are celebrating.

Let the symphony of these carols rise and be a reminder to us that we can accept the gift of Jesus in our lives and also give gifts of spreading light and joy and love and GOOD CHEER wherever we go.

So let’s say CHEERS and give a good cheer this Christmas!

Merry Christmas and may you be blessed this season with good cheer, with peace and God’s amazing grace.

Blessings Glenn & Clare, The Link Church

Special thanks to all our Supporters!