REFLECTION: Summer Hymn Series - Week 9


The first hymn was chosen by Simon Charles #306 "Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing"
You might be sending a theme to my hymn choices. I love rousing hymns that would sound great for an organ accompaniment. This hymns tells the whole story of our faith, praising God for the gift of forgiveness and redemption through Christ. 

The second hymn was chosen by Trish McNair "Candlelight Carol" by Neil Diamond
Candlelight carol is special to me because last Christmas I was sooooooo sick with asthma and missed out on singing Christmas carols. Angels singing about trying to catch the wind on the water and count the stars in the sky too explain the joy of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Gloria Jesus is born. Happy birthday Jesus. Thanks to Neil Diamond for such a beautiful song sung just for me

The third hymn was chosen by Sara Jane Kennerley #418 "Draw the Circle Wide"
Draw the Circle Wide is a hymn I heard for the first time when I moved from Ontario 
and started attending St. John the Divine. Coming from a very traditional Anglican 
church in Toronto, I was so impressed with the fun everyone was having participating 
in singing this hymn. For me, the enthusiasm and the words reflect the St. John's community.

The fourth hymn was chosen by Erica Northcott #122 "In the Bleak Midwinter"
This has been a long time favourite of mine….anytime of year! The music of Gustave Holst is simple yet luscious. The profound poem or Christina Rossetti covers all of Christ’s life! A description of Christ’s birth in simple surrounding (vs 3 Note: the third verse is not included in our hymn book) and his first and second coming (vs 2). There is the angelic heralding of His birth with Mary’s human affectionate touch of a kiss (vs 4). The last verse presents with a relevant and humbling question “What can I give Him, poor as I am?”

The descriptive bleak wintery conditions is a metaphor for harsh spiritual, political landscapes that are so relatable to today. “…Yet what can I give Him –Give my heart.”

Vs 3: Enough for Him, whom cherubim worship night and day,

A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom Angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

The fifth hymn was chosen by Rita Carey #258 "We Plough the Fields and Scatter"
I chose "We Plough the Fields and Scatter" because I have loved this Harvest Thanksgiving hymn since I was a little girl in England, 
just becoming interested in the natural world and in gardening (thanks to my Nanna). 
I can certainly relate to the idea that we do our bit to get things planted in the spring, and then God takes over!

The sixth hymn was chosen by Simon Charles #565 "Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah"
I love this song because it speaks to being a stranger in a foreign land. This is something I've been myself many times. I resonate with being a pilgrim with no real earthy home. I like the idea that my true home will be with God in heaven.