A few years ago I wrote a Christmas song for GLAD (my previous musical life) that reflected on Joseph and Mary’s humble submission in accepting their part in God’s plan of salvation. Hard to imagine the difficulty of that decision. But so grateful to God that they responded.
The music seems a little dated to me now, but the truth of the lyrics still affects me. At the end, you can listen to/download the song.
One Quiet Moment
One quiet moment, on a star-clustered night,
Two weary travelers knew an end was in sight;
So the soon-to-be mother, grasped her husband’s strong hand,
And paused to remember where the journey began.
Nine months of yearning filled with joy and with pain;
He almost had left her, but then chose to remain
Close by the woman he had not even kissed,
Who would bear him a son that would never be his.
And in one quiet moment, a woman and man
Accepted the part they would have in God’s plan;
To give up His glory, and be born as a man.
In one quiet moment.
They dreamed of the times they would spend with their son,
Taking trips through the hillsides and watching Him run.
And some days the fingers that had fashioned the stars,
Would reach out to hold them when the walk was too far.
They wrestled with knowing that His life would bring change;
Their friends would grow distant, and shun them as strange.
Though they tried not to think it, in their hearts they were sure,
That their baby was destined to die for the world.
And in one quiet moment, a woman and man
Accepted the part they would have in God’s plan;
To give up His glory, and be born as a man.
In one quiet moment, one quiet moment.
And in one quiet moment they could suddenly hear
Thousands of angels singing so clear;
“Glory to God, His Salvation is near!”
In this one quiet moment
In this one quiet moment
One quiet moment.
You can listen to/download the song here. If you’re into a capella music, you can order the whole CD from GLAD’s online store. And if you’re interested in another Christmas song I wrote for GLAD, check out In the First Light.
I have a few GLAD projects, but had never heard this forgotten gem. Thank you for bringing it back!
Great message!
Yes, “In the First Light” has become one of my favorite songs as of late. “Hear the angels as they’re singing on the morning of His birth; but how much greater will our song be when He comes to rule the earth.” Oh, the joy that floods my heart as I consider this!
Great Stuff! So what if it’s a little dated. So is all that stuff by Ella What’s-her-name, but I still love it. :-)
May I also add recommendations for my favorites:
Glory To God
Rise Up, Shepherd, And Follow.
I always loved this song. So GLAD you reminded me of it!
I had no idea that you had written that song. Our choir has frequently sung this during the Christmas season and it is one of my favorites!
Never once have I thought that this song was dated!
Instead, I think it’s a Glad “classic”. The song truly humbles me with it’s powerful lyrics. And the music is anointed and the melody just beautiful. “In The First Light”, of course is truly amazing, but I’ve always considered “One Quiet Moment” as one of the finest things Glad ever recorded as well!
I heard just the end of the song being played on a Christian radio station in western Kansas and had to search the web to find you. This is the most beautiful song I’ve heard in years!! I had a horn/rock group, based in southern California for over 20 years and, when I had the voices, would do 4 Freshmen charts as a change of pace. Your voicing is wonderful, thanks!! Krik
Bob, is there anywhere I can go to get the score for One Quiet Moment? I have listened to the Glad recording and love the song and the arrangement. I found an abbreviated arrangement by Tom Fetke (sp) but I would love to have the whole song as written. Your help would be appreciated.
Tim, I’ll see if I can dig up a copy. I know I must have it somewhere. Thanks for asking.
Bob, I requested and received a vocal chart for “One Quiet Moment” many years ago, and was just trotting it out for a solo rendition for this year’s Christmas season. My pianist is capable of taking the vocal score and reading / playing the voices on piano, but it would be so much simpler if there was a piano accompaniment / reduction of the vocal score. You wouldn’t happen to have anything like that, would you?
If you can’t find the score for Tim, let me know and I can easily scan it and send it. Oh, and there is nothing dated about such a classic work of art that so effectively delivers an incredibly poignant message! The story this song tells delivers on the absolute wonder of the Christmas story in ways that I’ve never heard. I feel blessed to have it in my repertoire! Thank you for such a beautiful message!
I’d like to purchase sheet music for ‘One Quiet Moment’, to sing as a solo. Is it available online, or elsewhere?
Paul, not that I’m aware of. But I’m getting numerous requests for it, so I may have to write one up. You might check out http://www.glad-pro.com
I presented the song in Flint Michigan not long after you had written it it is a fabulous Christmas song and my favorite of all time thanks for sharing your talent Merry Christmas
Years ago when I first heard this song, it became MY Christmas song. It touched my heart as a young mother, thinking about the humanity of the infant, the toddler, and the little boy, Jesus, my Savior and Creator. Such a common human event, yet that is miraculous!
I would like to get the sheet music for this, as well. I’m trying to do it on the piano. This is the such a beautiful song and do not at all feel like it is dated, either.
No piano music yet, but we’ll see what we can do!
I was SURE this song was yours! Glad was the very first American Christian band I fell in love with (King College, Bristol TN, in 1981), and I still have loads of Glad on mp3 and listen to it all, here in Recife, Brazil. But this am, as I stayed behind to prepare Sunday dinner and my family went to church, God spoke strongly to me about the price Mary and Joseph payed for the glory of birthing and raising the Lord. Tears, tears, tears. Thank you!. I´ve already contacted our kids choir director to suggest this year´s Christmas concert be baesd on this song. God bless you!!
Just wondering if there’s any update on the sheet music? Would love to use this song at our Christmas service this year!
Hi, Daniel. I’m sorry, but I’m not aware of any. I’d love to transcribe it for you, but I won’t have the time. Hope you find someone who can!
A song I would play all year because the words speak to me so is ‘Joy to the World’, words suggestive of the Second Coming. It is not dated ( to me) at all.
This song, ‘One Quiet Moment’, has ministered to me, I’ve played it over and over, and over, soaking in the blessing. It melts me, relieves stress, and I must say it again, it blesses me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I must also agree re: ‘In the First Light’, listening to these songs I must thank God for giving you a gift that you so kindly shared.
I would also pay to have a copy of this song for piano or guitar. I love the words and the music as it is and do not really see a need to update it. Is there an accompaniment cd that could be used to sing it too if not sheet music?
Kathy, thanks for your encouraging words. As far as I know an accompaniment CD isn’t available, but I’d try a Google search.
I don’t think it’s dated at all; a beautiful song to take down through the ages. I’ve loved it since I first heard it so many years ago.
Thanks, Terri!
I have a two year old grandson who likes to say to me,”Papa, hand”? As he reaches out to take me somewhere. It’s the greatest thing in all the world. But I heard GLAD sing “And some days the fingers that had fashioned the stars,Would reach out to hold them when the walk was too far.” I realized what an incredible image of how far God had come to bring us His plan of salvation! Tears stream down my cheeks!
Thank you so much for this song! I so appreciate your music. Yours has been my favorite music group for many years. Blessings on you.
Thanks so much, Lynn!
I am a solo artist (part time) and have loved this song since I first heard it 20 years ago. Do you have guitar chords for this song? I would love to be able to add it to my Christmas play list but I must admit I am a novice guitar player limited to a few chords and can’t seem to figure out the chord progressions in the song.
Thanks for asking, Robert. I don’t have a chord chart, but may get to it this Christmas!
How do I get sheet music for this song? Or an accompaniment track
Greg, unfortunately, it doesn’t exist at this point. At least, not that I’m aware of!
I do have sheet music from the GLAD days that I acquired several years ago. My accompanist can probably turn it into an accompaniment for me. It is such an amazing song. Thanks for writing it.
Greg, that works!
I absolutely love this song. Jennifer Lamountain sings an arrangement of it and I would love to introduce it to my church. It looks like there was sheet music available that is out of print. Is there any way to get a copy? I have a Fettke duet version missing most of the verses – my organist could work with it but I would love to have the full version.