A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (THIRTY-FIRST IN A SERIES)

“On Christ’s ascension I now build/ The hope of mine ascension.” (verse 1)

When Christ returns on Judgment Day, you, along with all believers, will ascend bodily into heaven, to be forever with Him where there is no sorrow, no tear, and everlasting joy.  This fundamental Christian doctrine is scorned by many “modernists” as “pie in the sky bye and bye”—mere wishful thinking.  However, our confidence in this truth is unshakably founded on the inerrant Word of God and confirmed by the historical fact of Christ’s Ascension.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus tells His disciples, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”  When the resurrected Jesus later visibly ascended into heaven, that historical event—witnessed by the apostles—confirmed His promise.  Josua Wegelin (1604-1640) provides an additional reason for our assurance.  He writes, “For where the Head is, there full well/ I know His members are to dwell/ When Christ shall come and call them.” (verse 1)Read More »“On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build” TLH Hymn 216

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-SIXTH IN A SERIES)

Why “-y”?

In some cases converting an English noun into an adjective is as easy as adding a “y.” Sleep becomes sleepy. Dream dreamy. Silk silky. And yet, the addition of “y” in certain instances can actually reverse a meaning. Consider the word “rock.”

All by itself, “rock” conveys strength and stability. Add “y,” however, and everything changes. Things become rocky, unstable. Not all additions, it turns out, are pluses.

So also with God’s Word.Read More »“Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared” LSB Hymn 622, TLH Hymn 306

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-SIXTH IN A SERIES)

It was on the second day of creation that God made the expanse of the sky, and since then He has used it from time to time as something of a billboard for important announcements. Abraham, for example, was told to look up into the sky for confirmation of the promise God was giving him (Genesis 15:5). There were the Christmas angels who appeared in the sky, announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Now we come to Epiphany, where the sky again plays a role, hosting the famous “star in the east” which started the wise men off on their journey to find the King of the Jews.

The opening verse of the Danish-Lutheran pastor Nicolai Grundtvig’s (1783-1872) hymn, “Bright and Glorious Is the Sky” turns our attention skyward as well, Where the golden stars are shining, / All their rays to earth inclining (v. 1). Our thoughts fly heavenward as they beckon us.Read More »WS Hymn 717 “Bright and Glorious Is the Sky”

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-FIFTH IN A SERIES) God had not spoken to His people for 430 years.  More than four centuries… Read More »Hymn 272 “When All the World was Cursed”

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-FOURTH IN A SERIES)

When do Christians give thanks?

Initial answers would likely include mealtimes, happy times and moments of success. It’s relatively easy to express appreciation to God when something pleasant is at hand or in hand. But what about those times when things seem to get out of hand, when a serious hardship lingers, when uncommon difficulties become common? Could such times ever be filled with thanksgiving?

The inspired apostle left no room for doubt. In his first letter to the Thessalonians he directed the people of God to give thanks “in everything.” (I Thessalonians 5:18) Since all things are under the direct control of a Lord Who loves us and wants only the best for us, it is fitting to thank Him not only during times of peace and pleasure, but also during turmoil and trouble. We are assured that the Lord “is righteous in all His ways.” (Psalm 145:17) He always has reasons for doing what He does and for allowing what He allows. Christians throughout the ages, therefore, have been led by the Spirit to express gratitude also during uncommonly difficult times—Christians such as Martin Rinckart (1586-1649).Read More »TLH 36; LSB 895 “Now Thank We All Our God”

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-Third IN A SERIES)

SOLA Gratia

Although there was some congregational singing before Martin Luther’s time, there is no disagreement that during the Reformation in Germany, the laity were transformed into the “singing church.” New hymnals were published as fast as printers could set up their Gutenberg presses. New hymn texts were written at a rapid pace as the treasure of the Gospel, God’s grace in Christ Jesus, was revealed to those who had long been in darkness.Read More »TLH 377, LSB 555 “Salvation unto Us Has Come”

A HYMN OF GLORY LET US SING (TWENTY-SECOND IN A SERIES)

Contrary to the oft-repeated cant¹ of collectivists, it does not “take a village” to raise a child; it takes parents.  God entrusts parents—not society in general, not educational or governmental institutions, and not villages—with the responsibility of the proper upbringing of children.  This responsibility is frequently enjoined upon parents throughout both Old and New Testaments.  For example, “You shall teach them [God’s Words] to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 11:19) and “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)Read More »Christian Education—Hymn 630 “ Ye Parents, Hear What Jesus Taught”