Hosanna in Excelsis: Hymns and Devotions for the Christmas Season

David and Barbara Leeman have done it again. Their newest hymnal, Hosanna in Excelsis—a collection of carols and devotions for the Christmas season—unlocks the riches of the rescue mission we call the incarnation. Each hymn is accompanied by three sections: Text (on the background of both author and song), Tune (on the melody), and As You Sing This Hymn (practical application for thought and life). What a terrific resource to help families and churches lift their voices to the King in the manger, resting in the shadow of a cross.

MATT SMETHURST

Managing editor, The Gospel Coalition; author, Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures for Approaching God’s Word

In a day when the glorious message of Christmas and the incarnation of the Son of God are trivialized and commercialized, I can think of nothing more essential than this volume of theologically rich, devotionally inspiring, and biblically faithful hymns. What a wonderful gift this is not only for the individual believer but also for the church corporately. Thank you to the Leemans!

SAM STORMS

Lead Pastor of Preaching & Vision, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, OK

Perhaps more families begin or restart family worship during the Christmas season than any other time of year. Whether this describes your family’s intention, or you’ve been consistent in family worship for a long time, I want to commend Hosanna in Excelsis to you. It’s a daily devotional that dovetails the biblical teaching upon which many seasonal hymns and carols are based with the lyrics and score of the songs themselves. So you’ll learn some of the story behind each song and often about the hymn writer and/or composer, as well as discover biblical insights from the foundational passage for the song. Then, of course, you sing the song in worship of the One whose coming we celebrate at Christmas. Combine all that with the captivating calligraphy of Timothy Botts, and you have a family worship resource you’ll enjoy year after year.

DONALD S. WHITNEY

Professor of biblical spirituality and associate dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY; author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Praying the Bible, and Family Worship

One critical piece of Christmas being the most wonderful time of the year is the music. And if so in our increasingly secular society, how much more in the church. The angels sang. Mary sang. The magi bowed in worship. The shepherds shared their joy, and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. And we too sing. The coming of God Himself in human flesh is too great to only keep silent. We must soon enough lift our voices, and as our praises go up, they complete our joy that Christ came down to dwell among us. I look forward to making this volume my annual reference for enjoying my favorite Christmas hymns all the more, and learning some new ones as well.

DAVID MATHIS

Executive editor, desiringGod.org; pastor, Cities Church, St. Paul, Minnesota; author, The Christmas We Didn’t Expect

The Leemans have done it again! We have recommended their Student Hymnal in our curriculum for several years, and now I am happy to be able to answer our members when they ask if we can recommend any resources specifically for the Christmas season from Advent through Epiphany. The collection includes both well-loved and new-to-me hymns, along with fascinating information about the writers and composers. The Leemans’ piano accompaniment recordings are beautiful enough to listen to even when we are not singing. This would be such a welcome addition to any family music library.

JEN SPENCER

Program Director, Charlotte Mason’s Alveary

Effectively compiled, this inspiring, informative collection of Christmas hymns is an essential resource, rejoicing the hearts of those who envision themselves as participants in the incarnation narrative. Emphasizing the church year, Hosanna in Excelsis invigorates the inner spirit, bringing expectation, fulfillment, and light to our darkened world.

LOREN WIEBE

Emeritus Professor of Music, Biola University, La Mirada, CA

At Christmas why do we sing the songs we sing, often over and over? Perhaps we need to ask, Why did they write the songs they wrote? Once again David and Barbara Leeman have given us a gift by taking us behind the scenes of these marvelous Christmas hymns and showing us devotionally how these hymns and carols came together to bring God glory. With elegant and precise explanation, this hymnal enlightens the way I celebrate and marvel in the majesty and mystery of the Incarnation. This hymnal has beautifully informed how my family and my church worship from Advent through Epiphany. God has used this hymnal to transform the way I eagerly approach the season of Advent and how I expectantly wait for the second advent—it will you too.

MARK DAVIS

Senior Pastor, Park Cities Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX

One of the most encouraging trends of recent years is the recommitment of God’s people to family worship. Hosanna in Excelsis is ideal for family devotions during the Christmas season, providing the stories behind beloved carols, while presenting the music in a lovely form. What a treat to families to read these stories and sing these songs during the Christmas season! Hosanna in Excelsis will also be valuable to pastors in connecting God’s people to our heritage of faith in celebrating Jesus’ birth. David and Barbara Leeman have opened their hearts and poured forth the beauty of God’s gift of His Son. Their wonderful book will inspire hearts and inform minds, prompting to our Savior the songs of joy that His coming deserves.

RICHARD D. PHILLIPS

Senior Minister, Second Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC

© 2014, 2018, 2020 by DAVID & BARBARA LEEMAN

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version.

All emphasis in Scripture has been added.

Published in association with the literary agency of Wolgemuth and Associates.

This book was previously self-published in 2018. Some of the text and tune backgrounds were originally self-published in a book titled Hosanna, Loud Hosannas, a Student Hymnal (2014).

Edited by Amanda Cleary Eastep

Interior Design: Erik M. Peterson

Cover art and design by Stephen Crotts

All websites and phone numbers listed herein are accurate at the time of publication but may change in the future or cease to exist. The listing of website references and resources does not imply publisher endorsement of the site’s entire contents. Groups and organizations are listed for informational purposes, and listing does not imply publisher endorsement of their activities.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Leeman, David, author. | Leeman, Barbara, author.

Title: Hosanna in excelsis : hymns and devotions for the Christmas season / David and Barbara Leeman; music engraving, David Leeman, titles calligraphy, Timothy Botts.

Description: Chicago : Moody Publishers, 2020. | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: Celebrate the coming of Christ by immersing yourself in the legacy of music that truly honors the Christmas season. Hosanna in Excelsis is a devotional that couples the lyrics and score of a new hymn daily with a devotional message about the music’s biblical and spiritual truths-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020020753 (print) | LCCN 2020020754 (ebook) | ISBN 9780802421982 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780802498854 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Advent hymns--History and criticism. | Christmas music--History and criticism. | Advent--Prayers and devotions. | Christmas--Prayers and devotions. | Advent hymns. | Christmas music.

Classification: LCC ML3270 .L44 2020 (print) | LCC ML3270 (ebook) | DDC 781.723--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020020753

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020020754

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To our own dear children, grandchildren, and all other children who love Christmas.

Ding, Dong! Merrily on high,

in heav’n the bells are ringing!

Ding, Dong! Verily the sky

is riv’n with angel singing!

Gloria! Hosanna in Excelsis!

Contents

Foreword

Preface

HYMNS OF ADVENT

1. November 25 | Comfort, Comfort Now My People

2. November 26 | On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

3. November 27 | For Ages Women Hoped and Prayed

4. November 28 | The Hands That First Held Mary’s Child

5. November 29 | O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

6. November 30 | Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

7. December 1 | Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

8. December 2 | Of the Father’s Love Begotten

9. December 3 | Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes

HYMNS OF THE NATIVITY

10. December 4 | Angels from the Realms of Glory

11. December 5 | Angels We Have Heard on High

12. December 6 | Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

13. December 7 | Where Shepherds Lately Knelt

14. December 8 | It Came upon the Midnight Clear

15. December 9 | O Little Town of Bethlehem

16. December 10 | Once in Royal David’s City

17. December 11 | Fullness of Grace

18. December 12 | Thou Who Wast Rich Beyond All Splendor

19. December 13 | What Child Is This?

20. December 14 | I Wonder as I Wander

21. December 15 | Good Christian Men, Rejoice!

22. December 16 | Ding, Dong! Merrily on High

23. December 17 | I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

24. December 18 | God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen

25. December 19 | On Christmas Night All Christians Sing

26. December 20 | Infant Holy, Infant Lowly

27. December 21 | Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

28. December 22 | Away in a Manger

29. December 23 | Silent Night! Holy Night!

30. December 24 |