This hymn, ‘Jesus, You Have Shown a Welcome’, began at Greenbelt Festival, where our very own Steve Tinning co-leads the much-loved Beer & Hymns gathering. The original version, ‘Boughton, Home of Holy Mischief’, was written for Greenbelt’s final festival at Boughton House in 2026. This adapted version removes the references particular to Greenbelt so that the hymn can be taken home and sung by local churches.
Echoing Amos 5 and Micah 6, the hymn asks what faithful worship looks like at a time when hardship and insecurity are shaping the lives of many across the UK. It acknowledges the genuine pain that can lie beneath people’s anger, while challenging those who seek power by directing that anger towards strangers and neighbours. It calls the Church to respond with attentive listening, active compassion and an uncompromising commitment to the values of God’s kingdom.
Jesus, you have shown a welcome
vaster than we comprehend;
teach us to make room for others,
stranger, neighbour, foe and friend.
Jesus, draw us all together
in this place where all belong.
Peace and justice, love and mercy
be our prayer and be our song.
You despise our feasts, our singing
when we turn from neighbours’ need;
may our worship here be different,
as we move from word to deed.
May our music stir compassion;
may our actions match our prayer.
Let your justice roll like waters,
flowing through each act of care.
When our neighbours cry in anger,
feeling no one knows their pain,
even when they point their fingers
at the ones they should not blame,
help us listen without mocking;
help us see them as you do,
help us practise loving patience
as we seek to follow you.
When the cross is claimed by those who
trade in hate to gain control;
they distort Christ’s words of welcome,
making faith serve their own goal.
We will choose a better story:
love and welcome be our song;
following the way of Jesus,
we will show that all belong.
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee;
you have shown us what is good:
acting justly, loving mercy,
living as your people should.
Lead us down a humble path of
costly kindness, arms held wide;
may we walk this road together,
with your Spirit as our guide.
Lyrics by Steve Tinning. It is set to the public-domain tune ODE TO JOY, by Beethoven, familiar from “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”.
Steve grants permission for these lyrics to be sung, printed, projected and reproduced freely, with attribution. No CCLI licence or reporting is required for use of the hymn. This permission does not extend to any separately copyrighted musical arrangement or recording.