AS WITH GLADNESS MEN OF OLD. (TH)

        TIMELESS HYMNS - A regular feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, revise it and post it again.  This one was first posted in 2014.

 

          Many churches around the world celebrate Epiphany, a Christian festival held on January 6 in commemoration of the coming of the Magi. In the Eastern Church it is the commemoration of the baptism of Christ. This festival day falls on the twelfth day after Christmas, and for some denominations it signals the conclusion of the twelve days of the Christmas season.  

          While the wise men are often pictured in the traditional nativity scenes, they probably actually arrived long after the birth of Christ.  It is interesting that this week's hymn choice is a traditional Christmas carol that shares the journey of the wise men. 

          The words were actually written by William Chatterton Dix, on January 6, 1859, while he was ill in bed. Most British hymn writers in the nineteenth century were clergymen, but Dix (1837-1898) was a notable exception.  Born in Bristol, England, the son of a doctor, his career was spent mostly in insurance. But he had a life long passion for writing lyrics for hymns and carols. 

          The music was composed by the German musician Conrad Kocher (1786-1872). The same melody is used in the hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth."  

          Using Matthew 1: 1-11 as his theme, Dix likens the journey of the wise men who came to worship the Christ to our own Christian pilgrimage. He emphasizes this by using the pattern "as they - so may we." Stanzas 4 and 5 are a prayer that our journey on the "narrow way" may bring us finally to heaven where Christ is the light (Rev. 21:23) and where we may perfectly sing his praise. 

          What a challenge for us in our daily walk and what a glorious hope that we have of a final destination where all is perfect.  I am always sad when Christmas is over and the beautiful traditional carols are put away for another year.  So here is one more chance to meditate on a meaningful carol and hopefully apply it to our lives.  

          May we be led to the Savior, may we daily seek His mercy seat, and may we give Him our costliest treasures - all that we are and have.

 

                                               (1)   As with gladness, men of old

Did the guiding star behold

As with joy they hailed its light

Leading onward, beaming bright

So, most glorious Lord, may we

Evermore be led to Thee.

 

(2)   As with joyful steps they sped

To that lowly manger bed

There to bend the knee before

Him Whom Heaven and earth adore;

So may we with willing feet

Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

 

(3)   As they offered gifts most rare

At that manger rude and bare;

So may we with holy joy,

Pure and free from sin's alloy,

All our costliest treasures bring,

Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

 

(4)   Holy Jesus, every day

Keep us in the narrow way;

And, when earthly things are past,

Bring our ransomed souls at last

Where they need no star to guide,

Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

 

(5)   In the heavenly country bright,

Need they no created light;

Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,

Thou its Sun which goes not down;

There forever may we sing

Alleluias to our King!

 

Listen to and sing along with this presentation of this hymn.  LISTEN

Here is a special presentation of the hymn by a group of children.  CHILDREN

 

THANK YOU LORD

          Some songs express the changes God has made in their life and the thanks for the many blessings that God has provided.  So many of these blessings are often taken for granted.
          This song is written by James Easter with the help of his two brothers, Russell Lee Easter and Edward Franklin Easter. James Madison Easter was born April 24 1933 in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Growing up in North Carolina they were influenced by bluegrass music. Russell, James oldest brother taught him how to play the guitar when he was only eight years old. However, just a couple of years later these three brothers were playing in beer joints and wouldn't be long before they were not just playing in them. 
          They became alcoholics before they could legally drive. Russell's life was almost taken when he got ahold of some bad whiskey, but he was spared and met a young women from Danville VA who went to church and helped change Russell's life. Russell and Ed moved to Danville VA to work at a cotton mill where they formed a band first called, "The Green Valley Quartet" but would later change it to "The Easters" to avoid confusion with another local band.
          Meanwhile, James was still back in Mount Airy where he got mixed up with the wrong crowd and soon found himself in prison for stealing cars and taking them for joyrides. The judge not taking light of the him "borrowing cars" sentenced him to a ten year sentence for a felony theft charge. James had no idea who God was as he had never been to church, heard a sermon, or even knew that Jesus loved him. A few months after being in prison he went to a church service held in the mess hall and sat next to one of his buddies in the back to avoid the preacher looking at them. However, this didn't work as the Rev C.S. Grogan looked back at him with tears in his eyes, pointed his finger and told him that someone loved him. James punched his friend teasing saying he must have been talking to his mama. James said that he didn't ask Jesus into his heart that day, but he wanted to. 
          James was released for good behavior after serving 5 years and returned back to Mount Airy. His brother Russell came to him and convinced him to move to Danville VA. While there he couldn't get the words of Rev Grogan out of his mind and found himself wandering into a little church where he gave his heart to God.
          James, a convicted felon and recovering alcoholic was fresh out of prison. He only had a job that paid very little. He had no wealth, but he had a wife, and a young child. They lived in a tiny 2 room house that they rented for $10 a month. He felt he was right at the bottom, but he also knew being a young Christian that he had something in his life that made him happy. He sat down and wrote the words to "Thank you Lord for your Blessings on Me" which became one of the most beloved gospel songs. This song has been chosen as the "Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year" in 2002. It has also won a Dove Award.
          These brothers started off by singing other groups songs, but their popularity really took off when they started writing their own songs. Which they did for more than four decades. They wrote over 400 songs and had over 150 recordings with numerous awards. They were recognized as one of the legendary groups and were inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame.
          Their heart still energetically beat for their mission of sharing the love of God through their music. Their life testimony is a powerful example of how God changes people, no matter who they were.
          Take time to thank God for the many blessings he daily provides for you.

 

          Listen to the song here.   BLESSINGS

 

You gave me Your love Lord

And a fine family

Thank You Lord

For Your blessings on me

While the world looks upon me

As I struggle alone

And they say I have nothing

But they are so wrong

In my heart I'm rejoicing

And how I wish they could see

Thank You Lord

For Your blessings on me

 

There's a roof up above me

I've a good place to sleep

There's food on my table

And shoes on my feet

You gave me Your love Lord

And a fine family

Thank You Lord

For Your blessings on me

 

I know I'm not wealthy

And these clothes, they're not new

I don't have much money

But Lord I have You

And that's all that matters

Though the world may not see

Thank You Lord

For Your blessings on me

 

There's a roof up above me

I've a good place to sleep

There's food on my table

And shoes on my feet

You gave me Your love Lord

And a fine family

Thank You Lord

For all Your blessings on me

 

HOW GREAT THOU ART

This is a feature where once each month 

I share one of my personal favorite hymns.

 

          In choosing my favorite hymns to share, I certainly could not skip "How Great Thou Art".  Not only is it one of my favorites, but it is a favorite of so many people and was even once voted as America's favorite hymn.  The writing of this hymn and its verses was actually influenced by two thunderstorms and a young minister's two-mile walk in the rain provided the original inspiration. 

          The Reverend Carl Boberg of Monsteras, on the southeast coast of Sweden, was 25 years old when he wrote the lyrics of this song after trekking through a thunderstorm from a church meeting, two miles away. It was first published in 1886, under the title "O Store Gud". Boberg wrote a poem, not meaning to write a hymn, but later heard it being sung to an old Swedish tune. 

          More than forty years later, an English missionary, Stuart Hine, first heard the song in Russia. He and his young wife were missionaries to the Carpathian area of Russia, then a part of Czechoslovakia. There, they heard a very meaningful hymn that was a Russian translation of Carl Boberg's "O Store Gud" (O Great God). While ministering in the Carpathian Mountains, Hine found himself in the midst of a threatening storm. The thunder, as it rolled through the mountain range, was so awesome that it reminded Hine of the beautiful Russian hymn that had already become so dear to him. 

          English verses began to form in his mind, verses that were suggested by portions of the Russian translation. He actually added the final verse. 

          Although the hymn had its origin in Europe, in 1954 song leader Cliff Barrows was given a copy of the words and in 1955 he introduced the "new" hymn to an appreciative audience at Billy Graham's Toronto Crusade. There soloist Bev Shea, assisted by a large volunteer choir, first sang the stirring words. It still was not widely known until 1957, when the Billy Graham Crusade in New York City, with the singing of George Beverly Shea, launched it around the world. It was performed nearly a hundred times during those meetings and countless times ever since. 

          I love the references in it to creation, to salvation and especially to the coming of Christ. And, what a triumphant final verse. One cannot sing this majestic hymn of praise and adoration without realizing anew the omnipotence of the Creator who did it all. That's one of the things that makes it one of my very favorite hymns.

          Our heart must cry out, "How Great Thou Art"!

 

(1) O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

 

(2) When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

 

(3) And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

 

(4) When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,

And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

 

You can listen to it sung by George Beverly Shea right here. LISTEN

 

HOLD THE FORT

The Battle of Allatoona Pass was fought in Bartow County, Georgia, on October 5, 1864. It was signals sent before the first gun was fired, however, that inspired one of America's most beloved Christian hymns.

"Hold the Fort!" was written in 1870 by Philip Paul Bliss, an evangelist and composer, after he heard the story of the Union defense of Allatoona Pass told in a Sunday School class. The use of signal flags to send messages from Kennesaw Mountain near Atlanta to the threatened garrison holding Allatoona Pass was held forth as an example of how Jesus Christ signals Christians to hold strong to their beliefs, for "He is coming."

The meeting attended by Bliss took place in Rockford, Illinois, on a Thursday and Friday, April 28-29, 1870. Among the speakers was Major Daniel Webster Whittle, who told how on the day before the battle, General William Tecumseh Sherman had sent messages by signal flag to urge the garrison at Allatoona to hold out.

Whittle remembered the message as saying, "Hold the Fort; I am coming!"  After telling the story at a Sunday School meeting, Major Whittle made the application.  This is an illustration of our spiritual conflict, of the need to remain faithful to our charge, and continue on until Christ comes again.  Christians should not be dismayed by Satan and his power.  We have the promise that Jesus Christ is coming again!

Mr. Bliss was present at the Sunday School meeting when Major Whittle told this story when Whittle told this story and the song was born in his mind.  The next day Bliss went on the platform and wrote the chorus of this hymn on the blackboard.  Then he sang the verses for the first time in public and the audience joined in the chorus.

The song has been sung and played in Christian churches for more than a century and is loved by many. Curiously, a version with different words is used as a rally song by labor unions in Great Britain and the Carribean.

In 1876, Whittle and Bliss actually visited Georgia and climbed to the top of Kennesaw Mountain. There they saw the ruins of the Civil War signal tower and in the distance could see the Allatoona Mountains. It was a moving moment for both men and after kneeling in prayer, they sang "Hold the Fort" together. Bliss told a friend that he almost expected to see Jesus returning in the sky at that moment.

Philip Paul Bliss went on to his Heavenly reward before that year was out. A railroad bridge collapsed in Ashtabula, Ohio, on December 29, 1876, sending a train crashing into Ashtabula Creek. Kerosene lamps in the cars shattered, igniting a fire that burned many passengers alive. Among them were Philip Paul Bliss and his wife.

As is often the case, the story of the signals sent to Allatoona as told by Whittle differed somewhat from reality. General Sherman himself wrote of the incident in a letter dated June 22, 1875. While he remembered some of the details used by Whittle at the Sunday School Convention, he also noted, "I do not think I used the words 'Hold the Fort'. "Sherman's memory was correct. The two messages sent by flag to Allatoona from Kennesaw Mountain on October 4, 1864, read as follows: Sherman is moving in force; Hold Out! General Sherman says Hold Fast. We are coming.

As Sherman himself later noted, however, while he didn't say "Hold the Fort," that was undoubtedly his intent. And in doing so, one of the Civil War's toughest general inspired one of Christianity's greatest songs.

 The promise of Christ's return was given centuries and Christians have waited for it to happen.  While we have no idea when these events will happen, we are to wait and look for His promises to be fulfilled  You might say we are to hold the fort as we wait.

1. Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
   Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

o   Refrain:

"Hold the fort, for I am coming," Jesus signals still;

Wave the answer back to Heaven, "By Thy grace we will."

2. See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;
   Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost goneo   Refrain
3. See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!
   In our Leader's Name we triumph over every foe.  Refrain
4. Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;
   Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!  Refrain

 Listen to it here.   FORT

https://youtu.be/dAEQwG96igE?si=e0TULtP46vWurWNe

WE GATHER TOGETHER

          It used to be that Thanksgiving Day would not be complete without the singing of this traditional Dutch Hymn.  In the United States, it was popularly associated with Thanksgiving Day and was often sung at family meals and at religious services on that day. 

         It was sung as an expression of thanks to God as our defender and guide throughout the past year. However, "We Gather Together" must be understood and appreciated from its historical setting.The text was originally written by an anonymous author, at the end of the sixteenth century, to celebrate the Dutch freedom from the Spanish overlords, who had been driven from their land, and the freedom that was theirs, both politically from Spain and religiously from the Catholic Church.  

          A number of Dutch nationalistic songs developed as a result of this patriotic emphasis and this hymn is generally considered to be the finest of these musical expressions. "We Gather Together" resonated because under the Spanish King, Dutch Protestants were forbidden to gather for worship. You can readily see the references to these historical events throughout the hymn's text: "The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing," "so from the beginning the fight we were winning," as well as the concern, in the final stanza, that God will continue to defend – "and we pray that Thou still our defender will be." 

          It was first published in 1626 and for the next two centuries the singing of this hymn was limited to the Dutch people. The English translation of this text was made in 1893 by Theodore Baker a highly respected music researcher. "We Gather Together's" first appearance in an American hymnal was in 1903. 

         It had retained popularity among the Dutch, and when the Dutch Reformed Church in North America decided, in 1937, to abandon the policy that they had brought with them to the New World in the 17th century of singing only psalms and add hymns to the church service, "We Gather Together" was chosen as the first hymn in the first hymnal.  But while the Dutch have an historical reason for singing it, the words are still appropriate for us today.  

          Our religious liberties may be challenged, but we still have the freedom to gather and bring our petitions to the Lord who will continue to be our Defender.  Praise God that He will not abandon His children.  Sing praises to His Name.

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;

He chastens and hastens His will to make known.

The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.

Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.

 

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,

Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;

So from the beginning the fight we were winning;

Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!

 

We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,

And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.

Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;

Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

 

Listen to it here.  

 

https://youtu.be/pmR1JszAM1E?si=W7Yo9HY0yhsF4ghS