One of the legacies that [the Rev Dr] Steve Wiest handed down to us was how to see Protestant hymns through Lutheran eyes. Pr Wiest showed us how "Just As I Am" makes a good communion hymn as opposed to a commit-your-heart-to-Jesus hymn. One time when he was substitute preaching here in late Epiphany, he used the Thanksgiving hymn "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" as the hymn to accompany the Mt 13 story of "The Tares and the Wheat."
Yesterday morning we were singing "Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning." Nothing wrong with it, but not exactly on my Top-Ten list of favorites. But then I thought of the connection that Pr Fabrizius has made between the manger and the tomb: both places where Jesus lay, wrapped in strips of cloth, on a stone slab. In addition to the manger, one can think of the tomb: "Angels adore Him in slumber reclining, Maker and Monarch and Savior of all." In stanza 3 of the hymn, where we sing about things that devoted hearts could offer to Jesus (along with adoration and prayers -- verse 4), we hear about "odors of Edom" and "myrrh from the forest" -- items the women probably brought to the tomb on Easter morning.
Those dear tokens of His passion
Still His dazzling body bears,
Cause of endless exultation
To His ransomed worshipers.
With what rapture gaze we on those glorious scars!
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Pr. Wiest was my campus pastor @ UWM. :)I learned alot from him!
ReplyDeleteNice blog, BTW.
You knew Pr Wiest??? WOW! THAT explains why it seems like (on loopers) you're such a kindred spirit! WOW... I think this is SO neat!
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot from him too. He was never exactly my pastor, but that didn't stop him from being a teacher in addition to being a precious friend.
Do you recall at what point in the divine service he used, "Come..."?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I'm not absolutely sure, but I think it was the office hymn, because there was reference to it in the sermon. Or ... maybe ... he referred to it in the sermon (in connection to the Gospel reading) and then decided to throw in an extra hymn afterwards so that we could sing the words he'd been preaching on.
ReplyDeleteOK, thanks!
ReplyDelete