Monday, August 11, 2008
Favorites
We all have favorites, don't we? A favorite food, favorite song, favorite place, favorite book. What about a favorite hymn? If I were to ever continue my education toward my doctorate, that would be something I would investigate more. What makes a hymn or a song someone's favorite? Is it because of the words? The music? The memories associated with it? Lord, take my hand and lead me has always been one of my favorite hymns since my family sang it for my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. There are memories that I have attached to it. As I continue my journey as a music director, I'm finding that there are many hymns that people would like to sing every Sunday, and hymns that they never want to sing. But it is my responsibility to balance the favorites, the well-knowns and the somewhat knowns and to teach the congregation about worship and teach them new hymns. Think about what your favorite hymn is, then ask yourself why is that one your favorite.
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Hey Craig! Just checking out old friends from college...
My personal favorite right now is "Who is this that comes from Edom" which is 209 in TLH. I like the words. (verse 3: Why that blood His rament staining? 'Tis the blood of many slain; Of His foes there's none remaining, None the contest to maintain. Fall'n they are, no more to rise; All their glory prostrate lies.) The tune is good too, though. My daughter Naomi and I sing two hymns every night: "God's own child I gladly say it" and "The Infant Priest was Holy Born." At the end of the first one, I let her sing the last word -- child of "paradise". And then I tell her again how much Jesus did for her, to give her life everlasting. She really likes it. Then we pray, and she goes to bed.
My other (recent) personal favorites are (did I mention I have my hymnal here?) From God can Nothing Move Me, especially for the sixth verse:
Yet even though I suffer the world's unpleasantness, and though the days grow rougher and bring me great distress, that day of bliss divine, which knows no end or measure and Christ, who is my pleasure, forever shall be mine.
So, that's my vote. It's about the words, and words that mangnify Christ, and what Christ has done for me.
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