“It’s a Wonderful Life” – my absolutely favorite movie! I broke away from Christmas busyness and escaped for a few hours the other day – indulging myself in my annual treat of watching Jimmy Stewart in this great movie. The closing scene still gives me goose bumps – surrounded by what really matters in life – friends and family – knowing Clarence got his wings and all singing the classic "bring in the new year" song – Auld Lang Syne.Since I have writing about the stories behind difference Advent and Christmas hymns this month, I wondered about this song. I sing it with gusto each year and don’t even know what the title means. Here is what I learned:· Auld Lang Syne literally translates to "Old Long Since," and more roughly it means "long, long ago" or "days gone by."· Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish poem, thought to be composed or at least compiled by Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns in 1788. · The tune is the traditional folk melody though was played faster for … [Read more...]
Oh Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee – Advent Hymn Story
On Thursdays in December, I will be featuring a hymn from the season and its story. I love hearing the roots of these songs as music adds so much to the holidays and to our worship. Those who sing, pray twice – St Augustine. This Advent hymn - O Lord, How Shall I Meet Thee - was a new one for me, though I recognized the tune when I heard it (hear it here). The title alone though spoke to my soul and felt very fitting for Advent.How do we meet the Lord? In this crazy busy time of year, do I rush into your presence or do I stop everything and fully focus on You, Lord? How do I meet You?Love the last phrase of the first verse: To do in spirit lowly all that may please you best. – What a prayer for the season!Written by Paul Gerhardt, who was born in 1607 near Wittenberg in Germany, and studied theology at the University of Wittenberg from 1628 to 1642. In 1651 he was ordained and made pastor of a church in Brandenburg, near Berlin. Despite personal suffering (four of his children died … [Read more...]
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus – An Advent Hymn Story
On Thursdays in December, I will be featuring a hymn from the season and its story. I love hearing the roots of these songs as music adds so much to the holidays and to our worship. Those who sing, pray twice – St Augustine.COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUSCharles Wesley wrote 7500 hymns! One of them is this week’s featured advent hymn story. You can hear it here: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus. This hymn was first published in 1744 as part of small collection of poems called “Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord.” In 1830 Welshman Rowland Prichard put the words to the tune “Hyfrydol” which means “good cheer.”Take the time to read and ponder the words. The first verse stresses that Jesus’ coming fulfilled Israel’s deep yearning for the Messiah.I love the word in the second verse, “Born a child and yet a King.” That line alone is enough to empower my Advent devotional time with Lord.Come, Thou long expected JesusBorn to set Thy people free;From our fears and sins release us,Let us find our … [Read more...]
O Come O Come Emmanuel – Hymn Story
On Thursdays in December, I will be featuring a hymn from the season and its story. I love hearing the roots of these songs as music adds so much to the holidays and to our worship. Those who sing, pray twice – St Augustine.O Come O Come EmmanuelEmmanuel – even the sound of this word evokes peace within me. Emmanuel – “God is with us” – Doesn’t that just amaze you that God Himself stays with us?Advent is a time of welcoming, anticipation, and waiting. Our prayers rise up, “O come, please come and be with us, Lord. O come, Emmanuel.”This name, which Matthew refers to in his Gospel (Matthew 1:23), was first given to Jesus by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before His birth (Isaiah 7:14). “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is a favorite hymn to sing during Advent. Its history originates in the medieval Roman Catholic Church. This mournful melody was originally a Plainsong or Chant, which is the earliest form of singing in the church. It is believed that the traditional music stems from a 15th … [Read more...]
His Eye is on the Sparrow
I learned the other day the story behind one of my favorite hymns: His Eye is on the Sparrow. If you don’t know that song or do and want to enjoy it again, listen here on You Tube, featuring the singing group, Selah. One approach to prayer I really like is to read aloud , not sing, the words of a hymn and let them seep into my heart and spirit. Here are all of the words to this song to add to your devotions:Why should I feel discouragedWhy should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.Whenever I am tempted, … [Read more...]
Hymn of Promise – In the End is our Beginning
This past weekend I reheard a song I had forgotten and its melody and words have wrapped their arms around my heart. Thought I would share them with you today:Hymn of Promiseby Natalie SleethIn the bulb, there is a flower; In the seed an apple tree;In cocoons, a hidden promise: Butterflies will soon be free!In the cold and snow of winter There’s a Spring that waits to be,Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.There’s a song in every silence, Seeking word and melody;There’s a dawn in every darkness, Bringing hope to you and me.From the past will come the future; What it holds a mystery,Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.In our end is our beginning; In our time, infinity.In our doubt there is believing; In our life, eternity.In our death, a resurrection; At the last, a victory,Unrevealed until its season, Something God alone can see.You can hear Hymn of Promise here.Natalie Sleeth wrote this song in 1985 as a choir anthem and later adapted it into … [Read more...]
Name That Hymn Writer
Our church just received new hymnals full of classic and contemporary songs to sing. I am happy they mixed the old and new tunes for such a wonderful blend of music styles. Let’s have some fun today and see how many hymn writers can you match with their compositions:Who wrote the following hymns? (Tried to be easy on you so most of the names are quite familiar)1. Joy to the World2. Jesus Christ is Risen Today3. Come to the Table4. A Mighty Fortress in our God5. Blessed Assurance6. It is Well with my Soul (When Peace like a River) – do you know the story behind this hymn? What a witness! 7. Hallelujah Chorus8. Amazing Grace9. All Creatures of our God and King10. Borning Cry - I had to include this hymn since I have found many are not familiar with it and it is one of my favorites Listen to it here Scroll down for the answers.Interesting as I compiled this I realized how many hymns I knew the tune to, but knew nothing about its author. Each song … [Read more...]
Beneath the Cross of Jesus – Elizabeth Clephane (1830-1869)
March is Women’s History Month or should I say Women’s Her-story Month. The Tuesday and Friday posts this month will feature women who lead lives that could serve as models for us in our Christian walk. It was difficult to narrow the list for the few dates in March but I did try to find some women you may not know very well and women writers. Enjoy!The last hymn we sang on Sunday – Beneath the Cross of Jesus – contained words that lingered within me.Slowly read some of the lines:Beneath the cross of Jesus I long to take my stand….and from my contrite heart, with tears, two wonders I confess; the wonder of his glorious love and my unworthiness… I take O cross, your shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face.The whole hymn swelled as a prayer within me.Who wrote these meaningful words of devotion to Christ? I never heard of her before: Elizabeth Clephane.Elizabeth Cecelia Douglas Clephane (1830-1869) was born in Edinburgh, but lived most of her … [Read more...]