Yesterday in church, as we gathered to receive God’s good gifts and hear His Word preached, we marked the beginning of the new liturgical year: Advent. The green paraments, occasionally changed during this longest season of the church calendar, gave way to the blue (our church marks this change with blue rather than the more … Continue reading Advent: The Season of Anticipation, Hope, and Christ’s Presence
Hymns
Music Monday: Thy Strong Word
Beloved in the Lord, is there a hymn that makes you stand up a little straighter? Is there a hymn that, when you hear it begin to play, makes your eyes narrow and a sense of determination swell in you? One of those hymns for me is Thy Strong Word. When the organ starts to … Continue reading Music Monday: Thy Strong Word
Music Monday: Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
Beloved in the Lord, as we continue our journey through Lutheran hymnody, this next one should be a favorite, but is, often times, overlooked. “Dear Christians One and All Rejoice” was written in 1523. It was the first hymn that Luther wrote for congregational use, and was included in the first Lutheran hymnal, published in … Continue reading Music Monday: Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
Music Monday: Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Beloved in the Lord, there are two hymns we sing during Holy Week that always draws my mind to solemn contemplation and moves my heart to the point of tears as I look to the cross of Christ. The first is “Stricken Smitten and Afflicted.” The second is the hymn we are considering today as … Continue reading Music Monday: Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Music Monday: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
“Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” is probably one of the most famous hymns written by Martin Luther, second only to “A Mighty Fortress”, and is one of those powerful battle hymns of the Reformation. Written in 1542 the theological break with Rome was complete, but a theological break did not mean the end … Continue reading Music Monday: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
Music Monday: Behold a Host Arrayed in White
Beloved in the Lord, we don’t often consider Lutheran hymnody, because it’s often overshadowed by the beautiful and rich hymnody of other streams of traditions. When you consider some of the great Anglican hymns or the diverse work of John and Charles Wesley, it’s not terribly surprising. There are some incredibly powerful hymns in our … Continue reading Music Monday: Behold a Host Arrayed in White