If there ever were a perfect hymn besides those found in Holy Scripture, I think it would be this one. If you learn all the stanzas, you will have learned the most important elements of Christian theology. Looking ahead to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord tomorrow, which draws the Advent/Christmas/Epiphany cycle to a close, I couldn’t help thinking of what it would have been like for Simeon to finally see Jesus, and the line from stanza 2... Read more
“In the mid-nineteenth century, Bishop John William Colenso of Natal raised a ruckus in the Catholic Church when he challenged the historicity and authority of many of the Old Testament books. Bishop Gray of Capetown wrote a stirring response of defense, which, in 1866, inspired Samuel Stone, to write this beloved hymn, basing his text on Article 9 of the Apostle’s Creed: “The Holy Catholic (Universal) Church; the Communion of Saints; He is the Head of this Body.” Now an... Read more
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; and in your weariness lay down Thy head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, so weary, worn, and sad; I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad. I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give the living water; thirsty one, stoop down and drink, and live.” I came to... Read more
Here’s a hymn that originates in my hometown of heavenly Houston, Texas. Written by Kathleen Thomerson after a visit to the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, which was ground zero for the charismatic renewal in the Episcopal Church going on in the 1960s. While I wish the poetry was a bit more developed, that is overshadowed for me by the profound hope in Christ the lines convey, and the climactic beginning of the refrain. Listen to the excerpt to hear... Read more
Lord Christ, When First Thou Cam’st to Men Lord Christ, when first thou cam’st to men, Upon a cross they bound thee, And mocked thy saving kingship then By thorns with which they crowned thee: And still our wrongs may weave thee now New thorns to pierce that steady brow, And robe of sorrow round thee. O aweful Love, which found no room In life where sin denied thee, And, doomed to death, must bring to doom The power which... Read more
O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee O Master, let me walk with thee In lowly paths of service free; Tell me thy secret, help me bear The strain of toil, the fret of care. Help me the slow of heart to move By some clear, winning word of love; Teach me the wayward feet to stay, And guide them in the homeward way. Teach me thy patience; still with thee In closer, dearer company, In work that keeps faith... Read more
Well, okay, so here’s a gospel hymn written by Fanny Crosby and resurrected by the Billy Graham Crusades decades later. I love how this choir and congregation sing, and how Dr. Gearhart makes this 947-rank Aeolian-Skinner sizzle like a side of bacon in a giant frying pan. (That’s not a gulf-moisture thunderstorm, that’s the 32-foot Contre Basson!) This hymn is somewhat unusual for Crosby, because it is not a song of personal testimony, but a glorious proclamation of the... Read more
Christ for the World We Sing Christ for the world we sing! The world to Christ we bring with loving zeal; the poor and them that mourn, the faint and overborne, sin-sick and sorrow-worn, whom Christ doth heal. Christ for the world we sing! The world to Christ we bring with fervent prayer; the wayward and the lost, by restless passions tossed, redeemed at countless cost, from dark despair. Christ for the world we sing! The world to Christ we... Read more
O Zion, Haste O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling, to tell to all the world that God is Light; that he who made all nations is not willing one soul should fail to know his love and might. Publish glad tidings: tidings of peace, tidings of Jesus, redemption and release. Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation that God, in whom they live and move, is Love; tell how he stooped to save his lost creation, and died on... Read more
Thy Strong Word Didst Cleave the Darkness Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At thy speaking it was done. For created light we thank thee While thine ordered seasons run. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end! Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness, Dark as night and deep as death, Broke the light of thy salvation, Breathed thine own life-giving breath. Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send! Alleluia!... Read more
Ponder Anew
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