Two thousand years of sorrow

Words: Christopher Idle
Music: THE HOLLY AND THE IVY (English Traditional)
Arrangement: Noël Tredinnick
Metre: 7 6 8 6 D
Resources
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Bible References
Matthew 2
Matthew 27:31-50
Matthew 28:1-10
Mark 15:20-37
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 2:1-7
Luke 23:26-46
Luke 24:1-12
John 19:16-30
John 20:1-10
Themes
birth, Christmas
Christmas
Day of God, Day of the Lord
death and resurrection of Christ
flight into Egypt
hope of glory
millennium
praise
proclamation of the Gospel
salvation

1 Two thousand years of sorrow,
two thousand years of joy,
since Mary came to Bethlehem
to have her baby boy:
Whatever years we measure,
however many days,
Lord Jesus, your millennium
rings all the earth with praise!

2 So many years of terror,
so many year of grace,
since Herod schemed and Joseph dreamed
and Jesus showed his face:
If time begins in London,
whatever news is heard,
inside the dome or nearer home
let London hear his word!

3 These many years of history,
these many years have flown
since publicly at Calvary
a cross became a throne.
While centuries are turning
we hear the midnight chime:
Christ is the Way: this is the day
there is no better time!

4 How many years of goodness,
how many years of wrong,
since fear and gloom outside the tomb
gave way to Easter song!
The day of God's salvation
can dawn for us today,
the Spirit's breath defeating death:
rise up without delay!

5 When so much time has vanished,
how much is left to sing
before the day worlds pass away,
and we shall meet our King?
Whatever years we measure,
however many days,
Lord Jesus, your millennium
rings all the earth with praise!

Christopher Idle
© Christopher Idle/Jubilate Hymns Ltd
7 6 8 6 D

CCL# 3234992