Lift Every Voice and Sing is one of the hymns sung in my church. Just a side note: my local parish just recently resumed in-person worship gatherings – yes, masks and social distancing - but no singing due to the aerosol projection making it unsafe – and wow, do I miss the singing but for the sake of others, we don't. I knew this hymn but never knew its story until it became part of the news stories last month. Here is the song in case you don't know it: Lift Every Voice and Sing Story Lift Every Voice and Sing was written by James Weldon Johnson and what a life of accomplishment, creativity, service, and leadership he gave our country. He surely used the gifts that God gave him in many ways. Johnson was a civil rights activist, writer, composer, politician, educator and lawyer. Born in Florida in 1871and he was the first African American to pass the bar exam in Florida. After graduating from Atlanta University, Johnson worked as a principal in a grammar school and … [Read more...]
Paying Attention When God’s Speaks – Come thy Fount of Every Blessing
I wasn't paying attention. The spiritual practice of paying attention is a key way to open your heart and ears when God speaks. But last week during the worship portion of Speak Up conference, I allowed distractions to take me away from the moment of praise and attuning to the Lord. If fact, I stewed critically about the old, out of date words in the hymn on the screen before me. I loved the melody, but my heart scrutinized the lyrics in what I believed to be old fashioned "what in it for me?" narrow-focused terms. I silently mouthed the first two verses with aimless alertness. Then God surprised me with tears when I sang the next verses. Immediately I was present, before him. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God… How His kindness yet pursues me Mortal tongue can never tell… Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here's my heart, O … [Read more...]
O Come, O Come Emmanuel Hymn Story
O Come, O Come Emmanuel is one of the favorite Advent hymns sung in many churches. The haunting tune and pensive lyrics invite us into this holy season. Instead of a long blog post today, just pause. Read the words of this well known song. See what stirs in your soul. Talk with God about what you experience. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go. Refrain O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times did give the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem, unto your own and rescue them! From depths of hell your people save, and give them victory o'er the grave. Refrain O come, O Key of David, come and open wide our … [Read more...]
In the Bleak Midwinter – Hymn Story
Quick quiz: Do you know the hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter”? Do you know who wrote it? This song called to my heart this Advent, so I thought I would explore it. Come along with me. Often when a word, phrase or like this a song resonates in my heart, stirs my spirit, invites me closer – I pay attention. I talk with God about it. I sit quietly, holding the gift in my open hands, listening to its lesson or just enjoying its presence with its Creator. Who Wrote “In the Bleak Midwinter”? Poet Christina Rossetti wrote the words of this hymn. She lived from 1830 to 1895 and originally published this as a poem called “A Christmas Carol.” Rossetti never married and lived quite independently. She used her poems and words to bring attention to issues of the day, such as slavery, animal experimentations and sexual exploitation of young women. She was often sick and without much money, but devoted her life to her family, her faith, and ministry with former prostitutes. Quite a … [Read more...]
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
The last few weeks the melody of the old spiritual “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” has been echoing in my mind and heart. Its words haunt me. My emotions this Lenten season verge closer to solemn sadness when I ponder how much Jesus suffered. I realized how often I want to jump over these verses of the Bible and rush into the celebration of Easter morning. I missed the lessons in the whip, the crown of thorns, the ridicule, the horror of the cross and the silence of Holy Saturday. So I trudge through Bible verses I normally skim. I pause and listen to their rawness. I sit amazed at his forgiveness and defeat of death and sin. My answer to the question - Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? – is, well at least I am closer now than before. This hymn originates from the African-American slaves in the early 1800s. The lyrics reflect the terrors the slaves endured. Full of emotion I think we all “tremble” as we sing it and realize the reality of … [Read more...]
Jesus Loves Me – Hymn Story
Jesus loves me - what a neat song. The young kids in our Sunday School sang two weeks ago. You just had to smile listening to sweet fresh voices chime in with "Yes, Jesus loves me." I think God smiled too. Occasionally we sing this old favorite as one of our hymns of the day. Adults sing the words with reverence and awe. It is powerful to express out loud - "Yes! Jesus loves me." Jesus Loves Me - the Story Anna Barlett Warner wrote Jesus Loves Me to be included in her sister's novel. Often they would work together on a project. Her sister ask if Anna would compose a children's song that would be sung by a character in her story, to comfort a dying child. Anna responded to this request with the lyrics of the now famous Jesus Loves Me. The book was published in 1860. Missionaries adopted the song, spreading its fame across the world. I read one place that said Jesus Loves Me has been translated into more languages than any other spiritual song. Dr. Hawn is professor of … [Read more...]
Holy Holy Holy
The hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy grabbed my attention this week, Last Sunday I led the liturgy and shared the children’s sermon. As the service began, to be honest I was preoccupied. If God called to me, He would have gotten a busy signal. “Sorry the party you are trying to reach is unavailable." Not quite the way to enter worship, is it? But then we sang. Our opening song was the traditional hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy.I was fiddling with the wireless mic, so just mouthed the first set of lyrics. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! Second verse same as the first (yes Herman Hermits fans - some of you will understand that little joke) Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be. The … [Read more...]
Easily Forgotten Companion
Ever hear of Gerhard Tersteegen? Me neither. I read a quote from him the other day that struck me and made me curious abut him. Who was he? Here is the quote: “God is essentially present with us in a manner that is incomprehensive to us. He fills heaven an earth; in him we live, move and have our being. He is also near our most secret thoughts, inclinations, desires and intentions.” Edward Hays in his “Book of Wonders” pondered this quote and gives God the name, “My Easily Forgotten Companion.” Now that is something to think about. That isn’t what I call God, but in reality how I treat Him. I conveniently forget God. I ignore His urges and commandments. I turn my attention away from His Presence that never leaves my side. Tersteegen later wrote: “You must withdraw into yourself a little and keep quiet before the face of God, then look gently and perfectly frankly at God who is so near to us, to let Him see … [Read more...]