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New Hymns for the Lectionary by Mark Ryman Proper 4A - 4th Week of Advent, Year A   • TEXT FILE OF HYMN    • MIDI FILE    • HYMN INDEX Can We Pledge Our Lives Today? TEXT: Mark Ryman (2004) based on Matthew 1:18-25. TUNE: "Canterbury," by Orlando Gibbons (1623). Mary was betrothed to man When a mystery began. The virgin swelled with God’s child: Heaven’s grace and mercy mild. This life was the Light of Life— Yet, Mary was not God’s wife. Kind Joseph would marry her Though this life began to stir. This was not what Joseph planned. He had yet to understand. Divorce seemed the best way out ‘Til an angel removed doubt. She will give birth to the Son Of the Ever Living One. He will save you all from Hell. Jesus is Emmanuel. God had planted this great seed So that one day Christ would bleed, Saving us from hemorrhage— ever bleeding, this soul cage. Can we pledge our lives today Letting God plant as He may— Giving birth in you and me His own Son for all to see? The hymn lyrics on these pages are written and copyrighted by Mark Ryman. You may freely use these hymn lyrics for study and/or worship as long as you use the following citation: "© Mark Ryman. More hymns at markryman.com." I use CYBER HYMNAL for all of my tunes, which means you can use the tunes yourself. The music I use is in the Public Domain. If you would, please email me, letting me know how you have used the hymn(s). That would be a blessing to me. If you wish to publish any of these hymns and/or commentaries, you must of course gain my permission. © Mark Ryman 2004 HYMN INDEX Email Mark

© 2007 MARK E. RYMAN

For by grace you have been saved through faith. (Ephesians 2:8a, ESV)