To wrap up the festive season, today’s hymn is a repost and my favourite Christmas carol. There are so many versions out there, but my favourite is being in a room full of believers, singing at the top of their lungs these words; there’s no other sound like it! I hope you’ve enjoyed the Christmas season!
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem! Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels!
Refrain: O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him; O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!
God of God, Light of Light, lo, He abhors not the virgin’s womb; very God, begotten not created; [Refrain]
Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation; sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above! Glory to God, all glory in the highest! [Refrain]
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning; Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n! Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! [Refrain]
Today’s hymn comes from one of the greatest hymn writers and poets, John Newton, and is included in his 1779 collection ‘Olney Hymns’. No matter how you decide to celebrate (or not) Christmas, I pray meditating on Christ’s incarnation will lead you to say with Newton “I will love Thee without end”. Enjoy reading this one and have a blessed Christmas time!
Sweeter sounds than music knows Charm me, in Emmanuel’s name; All her hopes my spirit owes To His birth, and cross, and shame.
When He came the angels sung Glory be to God on high, Lord, unloose my stammering tongue, Who should louder sing than I?
Did the Lord a man become That He might the law fulfill, Bleed and suffer in my room, And canst thou, my tongue, be still?
No, I must my praises bring, Though they worthless are, and weak; For should I refuse to sing Sure the very stones would speak.
O my Saviour, shield, and sun, Shepherd, brother, husband, friend, Every precious name in one; I will love Thee without end.
Today’s hymn comes from Reformer Martin Luther. Writing about this hymn, Pastor Greg Wismar notes “although much of the music was reserved for the clergy in the early centuries of the Christian Church, by the end of the first millennium the singing of choral responses by the entire gathered congregation had begun to take shape. In Germany these sung responses of praise, traced as far back as the tenth century, were called Leisen. The verse sung by people at worship on Christmas day, now the first stanza of “We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth,” dates back to the eleventh century. It had been established already for centuries when Martin Luther added six more stanzas to it and published it as a hymn late in 1523 or in 1524 along with the tune to which the song is still sung to this day. The choice of this hymn as the “hauptlied” or chief hymn for Christmas Day has found usage among Lutheran people for almost five hundred years!1” Enjoy this one today!
We praise you, Jesus, at your birth; Clothed in flesh you came to earth. The virgin bears a sinless boy and all the angels sing for joy. Alleluia!
Now in the manger we may see God’s Son from eternity, the gift from God’s eternal throne here clothed in our poor flesh and bone. Alleluia!
The virgin Mary’s lullaby calms the infant Lord Most High. Upon her lap content is he who keeps the earth and sky and sea. Alleluia!
The Light Eternal, breaking through, made the world to gleam anew; his beams have pierced the core of night, he makes us children of the light. Alleluia!
The very Son of God sublime entered into earthly time to lead us from this world of cares to heaven’s courts as blessed heirs. Alleluia!
In poverty he came to earth showing mercy by his birth; he makes us rich in heav’nly ways as we, like angels, sing his praise. Alleluia!
All this for us our God has done granting love through his own Son. Therefore, all Christendom, rejoice And sing his praise with endless voice. Alleluia!
Today’s advent hymn is written by Lutheran pastor Johann Gottfried Olearius (1635-1711). This hymn is directed to Christ as our ransom, the one who was born to pay the price for our sin. I hope this meditation leads you also to sing Hosanna in your heart! Enjoy!
Meter: 7.8.7.8.7.7
Come, Thou precious Ransom, come, Only hope for sinful mortals! Come, O Saviour of the world! Open are to Thee all portals. Come, Thy beauty let us see; Anxiously we wait for Thee.
Enter now my waiting heart, Glorious King and Lord most holy. Dwell in me and ne’er depart, Though I am but poor and lowly. Ah, what riches will be mine When Thou art my guest divine!
My hosannas and my palms Graciously receive, I pray Thee; Evermore, as best I can, Saviour, I will homage pay Thee, And in faith I will embrace, Lord, Thy merit through Thy grace.
Hail! Hosanna, David’s Son! Jesus, hear our supplication! Let Thy kingdom, scepter, crown, Bring us blessing and salvation, That forever we may sing: Hail! Hosanna to our King.
December is upon us, so it’s only right to post some Advent/Christmastide songs! Today is one I reposted a couple of years ago, but is one of my favourites since I discovered it. “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”, which is a beloved Christmas hymn that poignantly expresses the eternality of the Son of God and his divinity and coequality with the Father and the Spirit. It serves as a reminder that Jesus is the promised and long-awaited for Messiah who brings redemption to the world. It was originally written in the 4th Century by Marcus Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (commonly known as Prudentius) – it was then translated into English in the mid 19th Century1. Below are some of my favourite renditions; enjoy!
Of the Father’s love begotten ‘Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending he, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, Evermore and evermore.
Oh, that birth forever blessed When the virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Saviour of our race, And the babe, the world’s Redeemer, First revealed his sacred face, Evermore and evermore.
This is he whom seers and sages Sang of old with one accord, Whom the voices of the prophets Promised in their faithful word. Now he shines, the long-expected; Let creation praise its Lord, Evermore and evermore.
Let the heights of heav’n adore him, Angel hosts his praises sing, Pow’rs, dominions bow before him And extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, Ev’ry voice in concert ring, Evermore and evermore.
Christ, to thee, with God the Father, And, O Holy Ghost, to thee Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving And unending praises be, Honor, glory, and dominion And eternal victory Evermore and evermore.
Today’s song comes from Kenwood Baptist Church’s music ministry in Louisville, Kentucky USA. I love a well written song based on Psalm 23, and I’m sure you’ll love this one too; enjoy!
Christ our Shepherd, ever good and glorious giving to His flock good land to graze. In His pasture we will want for nothing, near the waters He will keep us safe. He restores us with His loving presence, goodness and mercy for all our days. He delivers us from darkest places to the pasture of unending grace.
Christ our Shepherd will bind up the wounded, giving strength to all the weak and frail. Straying sheep He has pursued and rescued, He will hold us in his tender care. We will feast within His house forever, free from all harm of the enemy. We will drink the cup of life abundant in the pasture where He reigns as king.
Christ our Shepherd died to save His lost ones, laying down His life of His accord. See our shepherd on the cross to claim us; we may live because His blood was poured. Rising, He will lead to life eternal; our every sin, every grief He bears. He has broken every bond that held us, freed to live within His pasture fair.
Christ our Shepherd He will go before us, listen to His voice He knows your name. Through the darkest valley He will bring us, rod and staff to guide the narrow way. We are His, oh what a joy to follow till every tear He has wiped away. Christ our Shepherd He will lead us homeward to the pasture of unending days.
Today is a rewrite of Psalm 103 to melody, written by Brit Matt Searles on his album “Psalms for Congregations, Vol 1”. He has written new songs to melodies that are familiar to congregations, this one being Come Thou Fount. This song is not on YouTube, but can be enjoyed on Spotify or Bandcamp (link below). I’m sure you’ll be blessed by this one, enjoy!
Bless the Lord, my inmost being Lift up high his holy name Bless the Lord, all that’s within me Ponder all his deeds of grace He forgives our great transgression Heals and lifts us from the grave Crowns our life with love and mercy Satisfies us all our days
He brings justice for the needy Makes them rise on eagle’s wings He made known his ways to Moses Shows to Israel his deeds He is merciful and gracious Slow to anger, rich in love He will turn aside his anger Shower blessings from above
For as high as highest heaven Is the Lord’s unending love Far as East is from the West, he Has removed our sins from us Like a Father to his children He is merciful to us Shows compassion in our weakness He remembers we are dust
As for man, we bloom and flourish Like a flower of the grass Then we wither, then we perish All our days so quickly pass But God’s love for those who fear him Will endure from age to age For our children and their children Those who walk in all his ways
He has set his throne in heaven All his purpose to fulfil Bless the Lord, O you his angels You who do his sovereign will Bless the Lord all you his servants You who tremble at his word Bless the Lord, all of creation O my soul now bless the Lord
Today is another hymn from John Newton to read. This one is based 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Speaking of Christ’s power, he writes in his diary in Movemener 1775 “Yesterday I read over again, the Narrative of my life formerly published. It revived in my mind O Lord, the remembrance of my vileness and of thy mercies. Strange that I am no more affected with my own story. Oh soften this heart: it is ice, it is rock, without thy gracious influence. I am thine. Help me, save me. Speaking last night on the character of Byends I was straitened in my views of the subject. I have reason to believe and acknowledge, that without thy continual influence I can do nothing, and that thou dost assist in times and ways when I am least aware. O let me have no byends. Let me always act in a spirit of simplicity and godly sincerity and aim in all things at thy glory.”1 I hope this is an encouragement to you this week and is is to me; enjoy!
Oppressed with unbelief and sin, Fightings without, and fears within; While earth and hell, with force combined, Assault and terrify my mind:
What strength have I against such foes, Such hosts and legions to oppose? Alas! I tremble, faint, and fall; Lord, save me, or I give up all.
Thus sorely pressed, I sought the Lord, To give me some sweet cheering word; Again I sought, and yet again; I waited long, but not in vain.
Oh! ’twas a cheering word indeed! Exactly suited to my need; “Sufficient for thee is my grace, Thy weakness my great power displays.”
Now I despond and mourn no more, I welcome all I feared before; Though weak, I’m strong; though troubled, blessed; For Christ’s own power shall on me rest.
My grace would soon exhausted be, But his is boundless as the sea; Then let me boast, with holy Paul, That I am nothing, Christ is all.
Today’s hymn is an Easter song from the Gettys. This is one you’ll want to be singing all year round and not just at Easter; enjoy!
How can it be the One who died Has borne our sin through sacrifice To conquer every sting of death? Sing, sing “Hallelujah!”
Refrain Christ is risen, He’s risen indeed! Oh sing “Hallelujah!” Join the chorus sing with the redeemed: Christ is risen, He’s risen indeed!
For joy awakes as dawning light When Christ’s disciples lift their eyes. Alive He stands, their Friend and King: Christ, Christ He is risen! [Refrain]
Where doubt and darkness once had been, They saw Him and their hearts believed; But bless’d are those who have not seen, Yet sing “Hallelujah!” [Refrain]
Once bound by fear, now bold in faith, They preached the truth and pow’r of grace And pouring out their lives they gained Life, life everlasting. [Refrain]
The power that raised Him from the grave Now works in us to powerfully save He frees our hearts to live His grace Go tell of His goodness. [Refrain]
Today’s beautiful hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 34 by Nahum Tate (1652–1715) and Nicholas Brady (1659–1726) for the New Version of the Psalms (1696). The words to this one are a lovely meditation to start the week with and I’m particularly fond of the last stanza; enjoy!
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy, the praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ.
Of his deliv’rance I will boast, till all that are distressed, from my example comfort take and lay their griefs to rest.
O magnify the LORD with me, exalt his holy name; when in distress to him I called, he to my rescue came.
The hosts of God encamp around the dwellings of the just; deliv’rance he affords to all who in his promise trust.
O taste and see that he is good; experience will decide how blest are they, and only they who in the LORD confide.
Fear him, you saints, and you will then have nothing else to fear; make serving him your sole delight, your wants shall be his care.
Hymn of the Day 