tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85187727240948507922023-11-15T23:19:09.686-08:00Lift Up Your HeartsBecky Hoeksemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716961346333632777noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518772724094850792.post-50198463576384465172013-01-05T09:47:00.004-08:002013-01-05T09:52:49.829-08:00Living in the Light: Epiphany<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
For many of us, we attended a candlelight service sometime over the course of the Christmas season; some of us lit candles in our sanctuaries on Christmas morning; and, I venture a guess, all of us experienced trees, lit up with twinkling lights.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yet.</div>
<br />
<b>No longer</b> will the Advent candles be adorning the front of our sanctuary, reminding us of the "purple" time of waiting and the light that has come into the world.<br />
<br />
<b>No longer</b> will twinkling lights on trees remind us that we are in a very special time of the year.<br />
<a href="http://www.knoxcr.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Epiphany-star-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://www.knoxcr.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Epiphany-star-2.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="142" /></a><br />
<b>No longer </b>will Christmas music seep from every crevice of the mall and every radio station in our cars. <br />
<br />
<b>No longer...</b><br />
<br />
We live in the already and not yet. We live in a world that knows that the baby Jesus came for a purpose larger than we can image. He came to save the world. He came to bring <b>LIGHT</b> to the world. <br />
<br />
If you have ever lived in or visited Michigan in January, you know the bleakness that pervades the sky. You know the clouds that cover the earth. You know what it feels like to look forward to sun. We have now had two days in a row filled with sunlight--and this, is a blessing. When I feel the warmth of the sun combating the crisp coldness of the air, I know that there is something bigger than the moment. I know that there is a God that is far bigger and far better than I could ever imagine. This sunlight reminds me of the light of those candles on Christmas. It reminds me of the beauty of Christmas lights, peaking through snow after dark. It reminds me, that, in the already-not-yet world, Christmas is still here.<br />
<br />
Christmas is still here.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, January 6, we celebrate Epiphany, the day to remember when Christ was revealed to the Magi--the day, when the light of the star led to the Savior.<br />
<br />
<b>No longer</b> was the world dark.<br />
<br />
<b>No longer </b>was the world waiting. <br />
<br />
<b>No longer </b>was the world the same.<br />
<br />
<b>No longer... </b><br />
<br />
In "Lift Up Your Hearts", the order of hymns has been very intentionally put together. The last song of the Christmas section is <a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/jesus-jesus-oh-what-wonderful-child" target="_blank">"Jesus, Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child"</a> and the first song of the Epiphany section is <a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/jesus-light-world" target="_blank">"Jesus, the Light of the World"</a>. Both of these songs have their roots in African American Spirituals, and speak of the purpose, greater than we can ever imagine, for Jesus to come into the dark world. These songs, however, are not sitting by each other because they are spirituals. They are next to each other to make it easier for congregations to sing these two back-to-back. And, by singing them back-to-back, we stop and think about how Christmas has invaded our world. How the <b>LIGHT</b> of Christ, came to save the world...<br />
<br />
For, Epiphany teaches us that<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>No longer </b>does Christmas stand on its own.<br />
<br />
<b>No longer </b>does the light remain in the distance.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>No longer </b>does the hope of a coming Savior remain a hope.<br />
<br />
Christ is reality. <b>LIGHT</b> is reality.<br />
<br />
So, brothers and sisters in Christ. As you continue into this new year, observe the sunlight beaming through the clouds on a cloudy day. Smile at the Christmas lights that are still hanging around... even in March. Reveal in the <b>LIGHT</b> that has come to the world... and, like the song medley in "Lift Up Your Hearts" take the truths of Christmas with you into Epiphany and beyond. <br />
<br />
For the <b>LIGHT</b> of Christ is our reality--let's live in the <b>LIGHT </b>and live of the<b> LIGHT</b>.<br />
<br />
John 1:9-14:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text John-1-9" id="en-NIV-26054"><sup>"</sup>The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.</span> <span class="text John-1-10" id="en-NIV-26055">He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.</span> <span class="text John-1-11" id="en-NIV-26056">He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.</span> <span class="text John-1-12" id="en-NIV-26057">Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—</span><span class="text John-1-13" id="en-NIV-26058">children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.</span>The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."</div>
<br />
<span class="text John-1-14" id="en-NIV-26059"></span><br />
Hallelujah! Amen. <br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518772724094850792.post-73736032705279563802012-12-11T09:52:00.000-08:002012-12-11T09:57:03.358-08:00Singing our Identity in History: Advent and Christmas Songs<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWBacwXQzhMwsxaKnYinpUYd-xA-goqlQRQaUrnfLnVmRxA1HN85ZQ4fFBfi3kPZftgG3zBberic_WSUV50Ojj3O_mevB9-IkNHz7CJt6T84SqAg-_ajNtfmjNuZdhE4aRDn_VDXkDy8/s1600/advent+candle+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWBacwXQzhMwsxaKnYinpUYd-xA-goqlQRQaUrnfLnVmRxA1HN85ZQ4fFBfi3kPZftgG3zBberic_WSUV50Ojj3O_mevB9-IkNHz7CJt6T84SqAg-_ajNtfmjNuZdhE4aRDn_VDXkDy8/s200/advent+candle+1.jpg" height="133" id="il_fi" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some
of my earliest memories are of worshiping among these different cultures. And
no, I didn’t go to a Mosque or Temple—as a child I went into people’s homes and
yards, worshipping through various experiences. And what I learned has shaped
my thinking about places that we worship and other religions to this day.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You see, one of my earliest memories is
when Rachel moved into the red house across the alley from us. Despite the fact
that she was a year older than I, we became inseparable. Not long after they
moved in, their grandfather came over to their house to do what the eldest male
is supposed to do—he nailed Shemas on all the doorposts. And I got to go! <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 200%;">What Rachel’s grandpa did that day was a
<strong>holy thing</strong>, a thing that traces its roots way back to the days of Joshua. For
written in Hebrew on those little wooden signs that I watched him nail on the
doorposts throughout Rachel’s house were the words “Hear, O Israel: The LORD
our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your strength.” </span><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This
simple act, and the invitation of these friends to invite the girl from the
white house across the alley makes me think—how do we remind ourselves, every
day, in our coming and our going, in our living—who we are as baptized children
of God, saved by the power of Christ’s birth and death?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As
we enter into the season of Christmas, I urge you to think—how does <strong>God’s love</strong>
shape who <strong>you are</strong>? How do you remind yourself who <strong>you are</strong>? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It
is so easy to get caught up in the Christmas trees and the candles, the cookies
and the presents—do these things hang on our door frames, or does the <strong>love of
God</strong> surround us wherever we go? What reminds us that we are Christians, saved
by grace? Can the <strong>love of Christ</strong>, who came to save us, radiate from every ounce
of who we are this Christmas season? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One
identifier for Christians this time of year, is the sounds that radiate forth
from our radios and ipods; Christmas is a season of the liturgical and culture
year that is marked by the sound of music. Radio stations compete to see who
will be the first to turn on the Christmas music; stores bring it out in the
after Halloween rush to put out Christmas decorations—Christmas music is
everywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When
we sing these words, we take them onto our hearts and minds, and in this act,
these words tell our story too. We stand, with the prophet Isaiah, and wait for
the Savior; we sing with the angels of the glorious news, and we </span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/view-present-through-promise" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“view the present through the promise</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">” that Christ’s coming will bring justice and peace
into our broken world. And when, placed side by side in a hymnal, these songs
tell a narration of where we have been and where we are going. Through the eyes
of Advent and Christmas, this story takes on a deeper strength that dares to
imagine the strength and power in the begotten love of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For, in the convergence of hymnody, we see
songs from all times and all places standing alongside each other, singing out
the glorious promises of Advent and the glorious fulfillment of Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While the story of singing and celebrating Christ’s birth
begins in the early church, the story of our Advent and Christmas hymnody
beings in the fourth century. At that time, the Christians were fighting to
define who they were and what their beliefs meant on a practical level. While
the leaders of the church fought their battles, others stepped back and
thought about how the issues would affect the people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One
of the big issues was the heresy of Arius, “who claimed that Christ did not
have the same nature as God.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first stanza of </span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/fathers-love-begotten" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> spells out plainly that Christ is “begotten from the
Father”, the very controversial phrase of the Nicene Creed. By clarifying this
controversy, the author, Aurelius Clemens explains that Christ was not created
separately from the Father, but was, instead, born of the Father—begotten, not
made. By placing this fundamental teaching within a hymn, Aurelius Clemens was
teaching the rebuttal to this very controversial heresy. “Of the Father’s love
begotten ere the worlds began to be, he is Alpha and Omega—the the source, the
ending he, of the things that are, that have been, and that future years shall
see evermore and evermore.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ambrose of Milan, one of the great Latin church fathers, wrote </span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/savior-nations-come" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Savior of the Nations, Come</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">”. </span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/savior-nations-come" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Lift Up Your Hearts</i> (Faith Alive Christian Resources, June 2013)</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> contains seven
stanzas for this hymn. The first three “explain in hymn form what the Apostles'
Creed confesses: he was "conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and
born of the virgin Mary" (see also Luke 1:26-45). Stanza four alludes to
Philippians 2:6-11, which speaks of Christ's humiliation and exaltation. Stanza
five is a prayer for faithfulness, and stanza six is a plea that Christ
continue to intercede for his people. Stanza seven, a doxology, points to
Christ's second coming and the coming of his eternal ‘lasting kingdom.’”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
This hymn’s stanzas teach the fundamentals of what it means to be a Christian
to Ambrose, and to us. Yet when we are singing this hymn, we do not often stop
and wonder into what situation this hymn was written. One might venture a guess
that this hymn was not written for Advent specifically, but rather, to
subsequently, tell the people of the fourth century, who they were. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As
the pages of time unroll into the era of the reformation, those writing hymns focused
on teaching the story of Christ’s birth instead of combating heresies. In the
protestant church, the language of the Bible and the liturgical acts within the
service were in the vernacular, for the first time in a long time. In addition
to this, they did not sing in worship before the protestant reformation—this
privilege had been allotted only to the cantors, and those specially trained
for singing, so as not to do it incorrectly. An English hymnologist, Eric
Routley wrote about this in observation of Charles Wesley’s work in the
eighteenth century. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“These [Wesley] hymns were composed in
order that men and women might sing their way, not only their experience, but
also into knowledge; that the cultured might have their culture baptized and
the ignorant might be led into truth by the gentle hand of melody and rhyme.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And so, what
follows in following century or two, are a group of hymns that tell the story
of Advent and Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Charles Wesley, one of the most
prolific hymn writers whose songs have stood the test of time wrote </span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/hark-herald-angels-sing" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> in 1739 as one of these songs to teach the
story of the season. As with most of Charles Wesley’s writing, this song is
dripping with Biblical doctrine which, when sung, places these words of life
onto the minds and hearts of all who sing and hear. “Following the re-telling
of the angelic visit to the shepherds in the initial stanza, the succeeding
verses teach such spiritual truths as the virgin birth, Christ’s deity, the
immorality of the soul, the second or new birth, and a concern for Christ-like
living.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
Charles Wesley isn’t alone. </span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/silent-night-holy-night" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Silent Night! Holy Night</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">”, </span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/angels-we-have-heard-high" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Angels, We Have Heard on High”</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and many others written in this same period attempt to do the same.
(see the hymn listing by year at the end)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A
similar thing can be said for the hymns that were written in the post-Vatican
II era. In the convening years, the song writers in the Catholic Church
realized that the people didn’t have a song; they realized that they needed to
write new, accessible songs that taught the story and were easy to learn. And
so, people like Marty Haugen stepped up and filled this gap, writing songs like
</span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/my-soul-stillness-waits" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“My Soul in Stillness Waits”</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. In this song,
Marty Haugen puts words for Christ on the people’s lips “O Lord of Light”, “O
Spring of Joy”, “O Root of Life”, “O Key of Knowledge” and then proceeds to
explain what these words mean in the context of the refrain: “For you, O Lord,
my soul in stillness waits; truly my hope is in you.”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
However, this song has not stayed in the Catholic Church—these words have
traveled and found a way into our hearts and minds, shaping the grand narrative. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And,
while we really cannot say definitively what the trend for today’s Advent and
Christmas hymnody is, there is a trend toward language of justice. Keith and
Kristyn Getty wrote a song<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in 2004
called </span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/imagine" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Imagine”</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> that fits beautifully in this genre that is penetrating not
only the Advent Christmas songs of hymnody, but those that are not
congregational and therefore, only on the radio. “Imagine a King who would come
through the darkness and walk, where I walk...”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[7]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
Throughout the songs that have been recently written, there is a pervasive
theme that Christ came to this earth to live for you and for me. The language
is personal and gripping, and convicting. Rory Cooney’s </span><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/songs/my-soul-cries-out-joyful-shout" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout”</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> also does the same thing. The refrain says: “My
heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn...”</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[8]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
And while this song is a 1990 rendition of the Magnificat from Luke, the theme
that is brought the theme of justice to the forefront more than any other
settings has ever done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">During
the season of Advent and Christmas we are shaped by the things around us—the
business of the season, the consumerism that threatens to take over our lives,
and the music that fills the cracks of silence in the malls and in our homes.
And so, in this season, we are challenged to live into the story of who we are
in the promise and birth of Christ. And just as my friend Rachel lived every
day seeing that Shema hang on her doorposts to remind her who and whose she
was, may we allow the words that we hear and sing seep into our souls and
define whose and who we are. We are Christians, whose story is deep and rich.
This story of who we are is seen in the words of the song that define us. May
the grace of this season permeate our lives with the stories of the ages as we
sing and listen to music; may our ears and eyes be attentive to the words on
the pages so that, like Deuteronomy 6 teaches, we may impress these fundamental
truths onto our hearts and minds. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chronological
Order of the Advent and Christmas Hymns in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lift
Up Your Heats<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ Of the Father’s Love
Begotten </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. and 16<sup>th</sup>
c. ~ Savior of the Nations, Come </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">9<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ Creator of the
Stars of Night</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">15<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ Lo, How a Rose E’er
Blooming</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">17<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ On Christmas Night</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1671 ~ Comfort, Comfort Now My People</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">18<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ Angels We have Heard
on High </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1710 ~ O Come, O Come, Emmanuel </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1719 ~ Joy to the World</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1735 ~ Hark, the Glad Sound! The Savior
Comes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1736 ~ On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1739 ~ Hark! The Herald Angels Sing </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1743 ~ O Come, All Ye Faithful</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1744 ~ Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">19<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ Away in a Manger</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">19<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ Go Tell It on the
Mountain</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">19<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ O Little Town of
Bethlehem</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">19<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ What Child is This</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1816 ~ Angels from the Realms of Glory </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1818 ~ Silent Night! Holy Night!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1848 ~ Once in Royal David’s City</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1853 ~ Good Christian Friends, Rejoice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1870 ~ Ere zij God/Glory to God </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">20<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ Lord, You Were Rich
Beyond All Splendor </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">20<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> c. ~ Jesus, Jesus, Oh What
a Wonderful Child</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1912 ~ With Joy I Heard My Friends Exclaim</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1969 ~ Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1982 ~ My Soul in Stillness Waits </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1984 ~ Prepare the Way</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1985 ~ LORD, You Have Lavished on Your
Land</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1989 ~ Blessed Be the God of Israel</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1989 ~ Gloria/Glory</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1990 ~ In the Heavens Shone a Star </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1990 ~ My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful
Shout </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1993 ~ Toda la tierra/All Earth is
Waiting</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1993 ~ What Feast of Love </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1994 ~ Told of God’s Favor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1999 ~ O Shepherd, Hear and Lead Your
Flock</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2004 ~ Imagine</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2011 ~ God Reigns! Earth Rejoices<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
</span><br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
Brink, Emily R., and Bert Polman, eds. <i>Psalter Hymnal Handbook</i>. Grand
Rapids: Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1998.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413);
tr. composite, P.D.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
Brink, Emily R., and Bert Polman, eds. <i>Psalter Hymnal Handbook</i>. Grand
Rapids: Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1998.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
Osbeck, Kenneth W. <i>101 More Hymn Stories</i>. Grand Rapids:
Kregel Publications, 1985, pg. 109.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
Osbeck, Kenneth W. <i>101 More Hymn Stories</i>. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1985, pg. 109.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
From “My Soul in Stillness Waits”: Marty Haugen (b. 1950); based on Psalm 62:5
and “O” Antiphons © 1982 GIA Publications, Inc. </span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
From “Imagine”: Keith and Krystyn Getty © 2004 Thankyou Music, admin. by
worshiptogether.com songs excl. UK & Europe, admin. by Kingsway Music </span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/editor/static_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[8]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">
From “My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout”: Rory Cooney (b. 1952), based on the
Magnificant, © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc.</span> </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8518772724094850792.post-12106804972232571782012-12-10T13:22:00.001-08:002012-12-10T13:43:04.262-08:00Welcome!Dear Friends,<br />
Welcome to our blog!<br />
<a href="http://media.mlive.com/grpress/lifestyles_impact/photo/10488691-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="HYMNS.jpg" border="0" class="adv-photo" src="http://media.mlive.com/grpress/lifestyles_impact/photo/10488691-small.jpg" style="height: 229px; width: 155px;" /></a><br />
<i><a href="http://liftupyourheartshymnal.org/" target="_blank">Lift Up Your Hearts</a></i> is a new hymnal for the <a href="http://crcna.org/" target="_blank">Christian Reformed Church in North America</a> and the <a href="https://www.rca.org/" target="_blank">Reformed Church in America</a>, set to be released in June, 2013. This hymnal seeks to “tell the whole
story” of our life in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part I,
“The Story of Creation and Redemption,” moves through the Old Testament, the
life of Christ, and the work of the Spirit until Christ returns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part II, “Worshiping the Triune God,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>then offers our response to that great story,
now moving through the structure of communal worship from being called and
gathered as the people of God to being sent out to serve in Jesus name. <br />
<br />
As we journey through the liturgical calendar over the next year, check this blog for new posts that will feature some hymn stories for each season!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0