31 October 2007

To Clarify My Point

Judging from the reactions to my previous post, it seems helpful to clarify my point. There is no particular crisis or concern afflicting me. In fact, everything is going very well, notwithstanding the ups and downs of everyday life. There are some major stress-factors occuring, true, but they are of the very positive sort. I suppose that I shall blog about recent events at some point in the near future. In the meantime, I'm not distraught or on the verge of despair.

Thinking out loud, especially in a semi-public forum like this, helps me to be honest and forthright with myself. Putting things into words is one of the primary ways I process my thoughts and feelings and organize a constructive response. It assists me in being objective, and, most important, it forces me to consider things from the standpoint of what I know to be true: the Word of God, the Law and the Gospel. None of this takes the place of going to my own pastor for confession and absolution, nor does it substitute for the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren. It is simply another way of disciplining myself and holding myself accountable. I use discretion in choosing what to write in a forum like this, where anyone and everyone may read it, but I am truthful and sometimes brutally honest about myself in what I do put into words here, because it is a means of dealing with my pride and humbling myself.

In looking at myself candidly, I recognize that I rely too much on the opinions and praises of others for my happiness and confidence. Occasionally, that proclivity puts me into a real funk, and the danger is that, instead of recognizing the weakness and fault in myself, I fall into the trap of blaming other people, stewing about how unfair the rest of the world is, and ya-da-ya-da-ya-da. In doing that, I only exacerbate the problem. What is worse, I fail then to lay hold of the Gospel, which is always what I need, the only real answer and solution to all that ails me.

In order to curb the inclinations of my old Adam, and to discipline myself unto repentant faith instead of depending on my own self-righteousness, I often find that I must mentally take hold of myself and reiterate what I know to be true from the Word of God. Blogging is often a way for me to do that more pointedly, as was the case with my previous post. Putting it into words, not only for myself but for anyone else to read, leaves me no pretense and therefore assists me in fleeing to the peace of the Cross.

I am deeply appreciative of the kind responses I have received, both here and otherwise, the words of encouragement and especially the comforting word of the Gospel. One can never receive too much of the Gospel, and the fact that it can be conveyed and communicated to us in such a plethora of ways is truly a blessing. I only want to clarify that my previous post was not a case of desperately flailing about for some kind of answer, but was simply a way for me to be honest and objective with myself, according to the Law and the Gospel. I should want to underscore, for myself and others, that the Gospel is both the starting point and the bottom line in such a case. I can be most honest with myself according to the Law, when the truth of the Gospel is already firmly established and fully in view. I am a poor, miserable sinner, but I am also in Christ, and in Him I am a beloved and well-pleasing child of God. Thus do I proceed in faith, despite my own frailties and weaknesses. I hope this is helpful. When all is said and done, here is my prayer and conclusion:

Thou Christian heart, whoe’er thou art,
Be of good cheer and let no sorrow move thee!
For God’s own Child, in mercy mild,
Joins thee to Him; how greatly God must love thee!

The world may hold her wealth and gold;
But thou, my heart, keep Christ as thy true treasure.
To Him hold fast until at last
A crown be thine and honor in full measure. (LSB #372)

29 October 2007

Why Do I Depend on What People Think?

The one true God created me for life with Himself forever, for the sake of His own divine love. So has He also given Himself for me, and redeemed me for Himself with His own lifeblood, so that I may be His and live with Him in His Kingdom in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness. He has given me His Name and poured out His Holy Spirit generously upon me. He is my strength and my song, because He has become my salvation. He is my righteousness and holiness. Neither sin, nor death, nor the power of the devil can harm me any longer, for the Lord my God will never leave me nor forsake me. As God Himself is for me, I may a host defy!

I know all of this. I confess it to be true. I teach it and preach it to other with sincere and absolute conviction. To whatever extent I know my own heart and mind, I do believe all of this, and I trust it; thanks be to God, and Christ be praised, that He has called me by His Gospel, enlightened me with the gifts of His Spirit, sanctified and kept me in the one true faith.

So why is it that I care so much about what anyone else thinks of me? Why am I flattered and delighted by the praises of people? And why am I so devestated by anything less?

Why does it hurt so much to be criticized or ridiculed? Why does it hurt that much worse to be dismissed or ignored altogether? What is this hunger in me for the attention and approval of people, when the love and salvation of the true and only God are given to me freely by His grace? I know better than to seek the praises of men, and yet precisely that still seems to be what my heart it bent upon. And I am more easily troubled by the displeasure or disinterest of men than by the holy and righteous Law of God. I do not fear, love and trust in Him above all things, as I should, but I fear, love and trust in the attitudes and actions of men.

I know that the problem is rooted in my sinfulness, and that the only remedy is the forgiveness of my sins. What never ceases to amaze me, though, is how knowing the truth of the matter does not enable me to correct my thinking or feeling. All the logic in the world, and even good theological knowledge, does not prevent me from craving human accolades or from getting my feelings hurt when people disregard me. There are days when I thoroughly bemoan this travesty of my sinful heart.

It should not bother me that I'm not part of the in crowd; that I am not taken seriously; that I am overlooked or deliberately passed over by the "powers that be" in this world. It should not bother me, even though it does. My true standing before God, which is all that finally matters, has already been determined and established for me in Christ Jesus, and there simply is no higher honor than that. It is probably for the best that I don't possess the honors of this world, since I am far too easily inclined to idolatry over them. Already my covetous desire for such recognition is idolatrous. Thus, I am called to repentance and reminded how much I need the Gospel every day. There is no other help nor hope, nor any other life worth living, than that which is freely given by the grace of God in Christ Jesus. I believe; help Thou my unbelief!

24 October 2007

The Importunate Widow and Striving with God

The Readings this past Sunday included the story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the Lord and the Holy Gospel of the importunate widow who persisted in pleading for justice from the Judge who neither feared God nor regarded man. I love these two Readings, and I have often pointed to them as examples of persistence in prayer. Our Lord tells the parable that we should pray at all times and not lose heart. We ought to pray as that widow does; we ought to cry out day and night for the Lord to come and bring about justice. And surely He does come quickly.

But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith? That question has always troubled me. Such questions are a preaching of the Law, at least to begin with. The answer is finally the Gospel, because God's answer in Christ Jesus is always "Yea and Amen!" But He finds faith only because He has taken His stand with us and established His faithfulness for us. The Lord Jesus Christ is not only the answer to our prayer; He is our prayer, the One who prays for us and the prayer itself; our great High Priest, the One who lives to make intercession for us at the right hand of the Father forever. It is His persistence that prevails for us and our salvation.

The fact of the matter is that I do not pray with the persistence of that widow, not even for the desires of my own heart, far less for the things of God for which I ought to pray without ceasing. The Lord's elect cry out day and night, but only because the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us, and only because the incarnate Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer, has become our Head, and we His body, so that His prayer is on our behalf and has become ours. The Church does pray day and night—but not because there is strength in numbers; rather, it is only because the Lord is the Head of His Bride and the Savior of His Body.

I agree that we ought to pray with persistence like that widow in the parable. But we do not. It is Christ (and His Church, collectively, in Him) who prays without ceasing for us. Such prayer is not necessary because of any hardheartedness on the part of God. The One who comes to be our Judge is the One who has given Himself for us, in order to cleanse us and sanctify us by the washing of water with His Word, and so to present us to Himself as a lovely and glorious Bride. The hardhearted judge of the parable, who neither fears God nor respects man, is far more like us than like the Lord our God. It is not we who must wear God down by prevailing upon Him, but He prevails upon us, and persists in coming to us with His preaching of repentance, until we relent of our reluctance and resistance and are humbled unto faith in His forgiveness of our sins.

It seems to me that this also explains the story of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the Lord. I've always loved that story, but I've always been bemused by the notion that God couldn't get away from him. That is to think of it backwards! It is not so much that Jacob is wrestling with the Lord, as it is the Lord who is wrestling with him. He is catechizing Jacob to live by faith instead of deception. He strives with Jacob, so that Jacob will learn to strive with Him. Thus does He persist in the wrestling match all through the night, neither defeating nor retreating from the man to whom He has bound Himself in love. And when He has not yet prevailed upon him, He goes so far as to put his hip out of joint, so that Jacob cries out for a blessing and finally calls upon the Name of the Lord (which is given to him with the blessing).

Here there is a redoing of the story with which Jacob's exile began. At that time he came to his father, asking for a blessing. "Who are you, my son?" "I am Esau, your firstborn." Not so this time. Here he seeks the blessing from the Lord his God. "What is your name?" "I am Jacob." With this confession of the truth—that he is Jacob, the deceiver—there is repentance and faith, and then the blessing: No longer is he Jacob, but "Israel," the one who strives with God. How so? Because the Lord his God is faithful and persisent and has striven with him in love.

So also with us. The Lord has commanded us to pray and has promised to hear us. Therefore we should pray to Him with all boldness and confidence, crying out to Him day and night, as children to their dear Father in heaven. But He is first of all the Father who persists in seeking us out and coming to us. He afflicts us, in order that we may learn to call upon Him in every trouble. Even in the affliction, He is loving us and caring for us, coming to us and prevailing upon us, that we may be brought back to Him and reconciled to Him in Christ Jesus. He wrestles with us, and even puts us out of joint, that we may call upon His Name in every trouble, pray, praise and give thanks. For He is not far away from us, refusing to listen. His heart is not hardened toward us, nor turned away from us. It is not the Lord our God who has shut His ears to our prayer, but we who have shut our mouths, closed our lips and bit our tongues, refusing to pray as we ought. We don't know how. We cannot.

But the Lord has taken His stand with us. He is both the Jacob who wrestles for us, and the Lord who blesses us and all the families of the world, because He is the Seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the Judge who has already redeemed and reconciled us, forgiven us and declared us not guilty. He has pleaded our case with His own body and life, and He has won; and He is yet the One who persists in pleading with us, recalling us daily to repentant faith, to fear, love and trust in God. We are no longer widowed and helpless, but married to Him and rich with His riches in the heavenly places. For He has already come quickly to bring about justice for us, in His own fulfilling of all righteousness on our behalf. He has suffered the accusations and the condemnations, the judgment and the punishments of the Law against us, and has accomplished our salvation for us. Before we have even begun to call upon Him, He has answered. While we are only beginning to speak, He has already acted on our behalf.

When He invites us and teaches us to pray at all times, and not to lose heart, it is not because our persistence will wear Him down and convince Him to help us. We do not have to twist His arm to act against His will; His good and gracious will for us, in Christ, is for every good thing, life and salvation. We do not have to earn or gain His favor; His favor is already ours in Christ. It is not our patience and perseverance that will finally win Him over to us, but in His long-suffering patience with us, He perseveres in striving with us, so that we at last prevail by His grace.

23 October 2007

Everything Is for the Forgiving of Sinners

Persists, it does, the perennial challenge of preaching. I'm constantly striving to be more faithful in that task, which is a solemn trust and sacred responsibility. Lately, I've been focusing on how best to preach the Law in such a way that it strikes home and cuts to the heart and leaves every one of my listeners aching for the Gospel. I know that the actual work of the Law is the Lord's divine prerogative, not mine. Yet, He has called me to be a shepherd of His sheep and the bishop of their souls in this place, and that means that I must be solicitous of what they really need. Not their "felt needs," but their need for the preaching of repentance unto faith in the forgiveness of their sins. That means preaching the Law and the Gospel, the sharp two-edged sword by which the Holy Spirit divides between bone and marrow, chastens and heals, kills and makes alive. In my own limited capacity, I understand how this works, and I know what I am given to do; and to that same extent I recognize my weaknesses, my failures, and my need for both the forgiveness of my own sins and a greater faithfulness in my preaching of the Word.

I've been focusing on how to improve and hone my preaching of the Law, which ultimately comes down to speaking what God commands and what He forbids with greater clarity and precision, yet still broadly and comprehensively enough that no heart or spirit is left unscathed. I believe it is important, even necessary, that I challenge myself and push myself to do this more faithfully and more consistently. Not as though preaching finally depends upon me; for in that case it would be for nought and utter ruin. But because it is the vocation entrusted to me by Christ for the sake of His people, and in His foolish wisdom He desires to manifest His power in my weakness. I am taught by His school of the Cross to know my own sins more fully and deeply, so that I am brought to repentance myself, unto forgiveness, and so that I may preach this same repentance and forgiveness to His dear sheep and lambs. It is toward that goal that I preach, not only because it is what I desire for the people of God under my pastoral care, but especially because it is what the Lord desires for them and requires of me, His steward, for their sake.

What I have found, to my chagrin and frustration, is that my focus on preaching the Law has caused my preaching of the Gospel to suffer somewhat. That is not the fault of God's Law, but a consequence of the fact that I am not only a finite creature but a flawed and frail sinner. When I have given too much of my limited time and energy to preaching the commands and prohibitions of the Law, I have neglected to give sufficient attention to the preaching of the Gospel, which is the forgiving of those very sins the Law so effectively exposes. Which is no different than a heart surgeon cutting into a patient and then leaving him to die on the operating table with a gaping wound in his chest. Actually, it is far worse than that, because the death of the soul is a matter of eternal consequence, as compared to the temporal death of the body. It is only because a pastor is ordered by God to preach, that he should ever dare to ascend the pulpit at all.

The pastoral office is the Office of Christ, first of all, and it is defined by and for His Gospel. The preaching of the Law is God's alien work, which has always for its purpose the saving of sinners from death and damnation. Everything is for the sake of the Gospel, the forgiving of sins and the giving of life. That is the precious treasure that I have learned and received from my own pastors, and I have always been determined to keep that as the focus and the goal of my preaching and pastoral ministry. For that reason, to the extent that I am shaped by my office as a pastor—and so also as Christ Jesus lives in me, and I in Him—I preach the Law only because I must, for the sake of love, and always with an eagerness for the Gospel.

To my great sorrow and regret, there is still the old Adam in me, according to which I insist upon living under the Law, while at the same time I hate God because of it, and buck and kick and resist and fight. That is why I too must have the Law preached to me; not to make me better-behaved, but to crush and destroy me, to pulverize and kill me, that I would be raised to new and real life by the Gospel. That is what my preaching of the Law must also do for the members of my congregation. The goal, for them as for myself, is always the life of the Gospel.

The problem and the danger I have sensed is that, according to the old Adam in me, I revel in the killing strike and lose sight of the Gospel. Or, what may be worse, I forget that the Law really is a killing strike, and proceed as though the Law will bring about the new and real life that only the Gospel bestows. I know better than that, and I certainly intend nothing of the sort. But I also have observed that my well-intentioned effort to preach the Law more faithfully, for the sake of repentance, can also become a death-trap of sorts, because it distracts me from preaching the Gospel with the predominating clarity, specificity, particularity and vigor that I must. That dare not happen. To whatever extent I am able to sharpen my preaching of the Law, I must sweeten my preaching of the Gospel ever so much more so.

Of course it is true that I get frustrated, discouraged and upset. The people of God are also sinners like myself, and sometimes they hurt and disappoint me. As their pastor, and as their brother in Christ, I forgive them, and I bear with them in love, as they forgive and bear with me. But as their pastor, I am also required to preach the Law to them, and this is where I find that I must be all the more vigilant and on my guard against that old Adam in me. I cannot allow my personal frustration and disappointment to creep into my preaching of the Law, not in what I say, nor in how I say it. When I preach, I speak not for myself but for Christ Jesus. And the Lord Jesus Christ speaks to His people, never in frustration, but always and only in love. Even when He speaks with the thunder and lightning of His divine Law, He speaks in love. He speaks always for the sake of the Gospel, for the forgiving of sins, for the giving of eternal life.

Preaching is a perennial challenge. Not least of all because it is always an evangelical task, with an evangelical thrust and purpose, and yet it does necessarily include the preaching of the Law. Hence there is this ongoing process of trial and error, by which I seek to be more faithful in the preaching of the Law, while not losing sight of the Gospel for which everything else is arranged. It is not a matter of "balance," but everything else must bow before the Gospel and serve the Gospel. There can never be any other alterior motive or agenda at work. There is no other purpose or goal. The Gospel is not a means to some other end.

The Gospel is the reason for the Church. Not just for those people still "out there," but precisely for those people who have been gathered together in the Name of Jesus within His Church on earth. They never do outgrow their need for the Gospel. There is no moving onward and upward to better things than this. Everything in the Church is so arranged and ordered for the forgiving of their sins. Every service. Every sermon. The Law is never to be preached as an end unto itself. The Holy Spirit will instruct and guide His Christians with the Law, because it is the good and acceptable will of God. But just so, in His love for them, He will also and always be using that same Law to strike dead the old Adam in them with his unbelief and idolatry. Then must come the preaching of the Gospel, which is nothing less than the coming of the Redeemer with His forgiveness of sins. It is not once-upon-a-time, over-and-done-with, but always here and now, the day of salvation, the forgiving of sinners in this place with this Word, this preaching of Christ.

There is never a place for any sermon that would instruct, rebuke, admonish or exhort, but that does not have the forgiveness of sins as its driving goal. Preaching must absolve the sinner. That is the point. The good doctor must repair the damage and close the wound with the healing balm of Christ. Forgiveness is never simply a layover on the way to something else. The Gospel is not the "motivation" for trying harder and doing better next time. The Gospel is forgiveness and life for those who have tried and failed, as well as for those who have done better and become proud. That is what true preaching is and does.

Where the Gospel (the forgiving of sinners) is kept clearly in focus as the goal of preaching, I expect that the preaching of the Law will happen as it must (notwithstanding the need for ever greater faithfulness in how this is carried out). But I am even more convinced and certain of this: Where the forgiving of sinners is not understood to be the point and purpose of preaching, then no amount of striving or effort will bring about a faithful preaching of the Law. The Law must always be handing everything over to Christ and His Gospel of forgiveness.

Two Lutheran Pastors Walk into a Pub

True Story. We walk into the pub, order our Sam Adams, and sit down at a little table in the corner. Before long, a third Lutheran pastor joins us. He knows me, and, with a little help, I put together his name with his face. Long, rambling conversation ensues, one of the best and most enjoyable things about a pastors' conference. More Gospel is heard and received in the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren than in the conference itself.

Turns out, this third Lutheran pastor has an adult son who suffers from autism. That dear young man is "twenty-three going on five." This past summer, the father accompanied his son at a Lutheran camp for adults with such infirmities. And four of my young friends from Emmaus happened to be volunteering at that very camp during that same week.

So, the secret is out. I saw digital pictures on that third Lutheran pastor's camera to prove it. There was dancing involved. Evidently, or so the story goes, one of the young Emmaus ladies was cutting a rug and having a ball, while the other demurred. It so happens, however, that the pastor's dear son was left without a dancing partner at one point, and up got the girl who would not dance to dance with him. When all was said and done, he got to dance with both girls, and his father tells me that it made his son's summer.

As a father, I love to hear other people tell me nice things about my children. It is hardly any less significant for me, as a pastor, to hear nice things about the young people of my congregation. I was already very proud of the four Emmaus youth who volunteered to serve at the camp, but listening to my colleague describe how much it meant to his son to be there, and to hear him tell how impressed he was with those young men and ladies who are almost as dear to me as if they were my own, I could not have been more pleased and proud.

It is a small world after all. Seeing pictures of my young friends on a colleague's digital camera, dancing with his twenty-three-old autistic son, was both surrealistic and delightful. I did not take for granted their volunteer service at the camp this past summer, but it had not occurred to me how significant it was to the people they served. I wonder if they have any idea how much it meant to those people. I was profoundly moved by my encounter with that third Lutheran pastor in the pub this evening. It wasn't what I expected when I walked into the place, but it was a poignant reminder of what a wonderful congregation I am given to serve. And now, as I get ready to lay me down to sleep, I am giving thanks especially for those dear young friends and parishioners of mine, of whom I am more proud than words can say.

20 October 2007

What Does This Mean for Us?

Boiling it down to the basics, here follows the way I would summarize the Christian thematic of the Harry Potter series. In this case, I'm not offering specific examples or any particular details, because each and all of those would lead in turn to further nuances and tangents and the sort of ongoing conversation that is great fun but potentially distracting from the point at hand.

I don't suppose that J.K. Rowling would put it the same way that I do here. The way that she has expressed herself is by writing the books in question! And as I've said before, I don't believe that she set out to write a kind of propaganda for Christianity. I take her at her word, though, that she is a Christian, and I find it rather clear and obvious that her Christian faith in Christ, His Cross and Resurrection, informs the underlying theme and contributes significantly to the contours of the story. Of course, there were all sorts of other influences upon her, both literary and historical, as well as her life experiences and larger world view (of which her faith is a significant component). In more ways than one, she follows in the vein of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, whom she has cited among her foremost literary influences. All of these factors were brought to bear upon her writing of this epic fictional creation, which she first imagined and began to write in the final months of her mother's life. I am convinced that coping with her mother's death from Multiple Sclerosis in those early days, as Rowling was working on the first book in the series, shaped a good deal of her thinking and progress throughout the entire work.

So, anyway, here is how I summarize the theological significance of the Harry Potter books in my own words:

The fundamental question taken up by the books is this: How does one face and deal with death? The answer: In the faith and hope of the resurrection and the life everlasting.

Fear of death leads to a lust for power, to a desperate striving for self-preservation at all costs, and so to hatred and envy and disregard for others. Ironically, the consequence of this fearful quest to avoid death is a soulless (loveless) existence, which is a kind of living death (an ongoing, self-perpetuating fate worse than death).

Those who live by faith in the resurrection, live in love for others. They are willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of what is good and right, for others. They show mercy and forgiveness, even toward their mortal enemies. Dying, yet they live.

Such self-sacrificing love does not come naturally or easily, but by the traditio of catechesis and with the support of family and friends. Life under the Cross is an ongoing battle, full of demonic temptations to doubt and despair, on the one hand, and to a selfish, self-centered, self-justifying self-preservation on the other hand. In the midst of this warfare, faith and life are sustained by the community of love, and the Christian disciple cries out in expectant hope for the help that comes from the Father. But progress is not steadily and continuously upward. It is, rather, a process of dying and rising, and of being served and rescued by the servants of Christ Jesus. In other words, it is a daily and lifelong return to the significance of Holy Baptism, that is, the Cross and Resurrection. In this, the Christian draws strength and encouragement from the example of the martyrs, who direct his eyes unto Jesus Himself, the Author and Perfecter of faith.

Although the self-sacrificing love of Christ Jesus and His disciples appears weak and futile, it is the strongest "magic" of all, which prevails over hatred and death, and gives life to others. In this faith and love, one approaches death and faces it with courage and quiet confidence.

The Christian Emphases in Harry Potter

I'm a few days late in discovering it, but, especially as I prepare to speak on the Christian Emphases in Harry Potter tomorrow afternoon, I was delighted to discover the following item on John Granger's "Hogwarts Professor" blog (check it out):

http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=196#more-196

Of course, I share the good "professor's" pleasure at seeing this public confirmation of what he and I and a number of others have been saying for some time now. And I likewise relish the irony that it was MTV that broke the news. One wonders where the pundits are who have been toting the line that Rowling's work never had anything to do with Christianity, or that it was downright anti-Christian. Public repentance, retractions and apologies ought to be forthcoming from all those who have publicly borne false witness against their neighbor, J.K. Rowling.

18 October 2007

The Brothers Van Zant

The country duo Van Zant recently released a new record, My Kind of Country, and I'm lovin' every minute of it. Their previous record, Get Right with the Man (2005), has been one of my favorites of the past few years. I've listened to it as often and as consistently as anything else, and really have only grown to appreciate it more. Donnie and Johnny Van Zant are the brothers of the late Ronnie Van Zant, a founding member and lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who died in a plane crash in 1977. After Ronnie's death, Johnny took his place as vocalist for Skynyrd, and Donnie is the founder and vocalist of .38 Special. These are pretty good credentials for a couple of good ol' country boys. They come by their southern rock honestly, and they bring a good deal of experience with them to their recordings as Van Zant. As far as I have been able to tell, Get Right with the Man has also been one of those rare records that my Zach and DoRena both like about as well as I do. So, if we all three agree on something like this, who's to argue with it?

My Kind of Country doesn't start with quite the kick and punch that the previous record did, but it has legs and stamina. Maybe it would be fair to say that, overall, it is slightly more subdued and to that same extent more thoughtful and serious. These boys are family men, and Christians to boot, and they bring those values to bear upon their songs. They've also got some history in the rock 'n' roll industry, and it's clear they know how to have a good time. They do live with some regrets about their past, but they seem to be most interested in living their life now and into the future. Is it absurd to speak of southern-rock country as having wholesome values? These guys appear to manage it, in my opinion. They make great music; they write great songs; and they clearly enjoy what they're doing, which makes listening enjoyable.

I've probably listened through My Kind of Country a dozen times, or more, since I got it. I liked it from the first, but I like it better and better each time I hear it. There's genuine substance here, and equal parts good fun. "Goes Down Easy," the third track, is infectious. It's not my favorite song on the record, but it's often the one I find myself whistling and singing after I've gotten out of my car and gone about my errands or whatever. It may be a toss-up, for now, as to what my favorite song is (there aren't any on here that I don't care for), but the title track, "My Kind of Country," as well as "The Hardest Thing" and "Friend," would all be contenders.

I suspect that, when all is said and done, it'll be "That Scares Me" that remains my favorite here. I love the opening line and the musical pulse of this song. But the fact of the matter is that it cuts pretty close to home for me, as the singer contemplates the growing up of his children and "how sad my life without my wife would be." I'm beginning to suspect that the entire country music industry has it in for me, and I suppose for other fathers out there whose sons and daughters are graduating, going off to college, getting married, etc. This really isn't fair. My friend Karin would remind these songwriters of the Fifth Commandment, because some of these heart-wrenching, tear-jerking songs are coming close to killing me. Honestly, though, I love it. I find it helpful for someone to give me the words and the music to express my feelings out loud, and there's some temporal comfort in knowing that I'm obviously not the only one to feel this way. It's especially nice when guys who really know how to rock, how to sing, and how to play, also have a knack for picking songs that say what needs to be said, and then perform them well.

14 October 2007

Nicholai Martin Ignatius

I came home from speaking on Paul Gerhardt in New York to celebrate the thirteenth anniversary of my son Nicholai's birth. He's named for that other great Lutheran hymnwriter, Philipp Nicolai, who is commemorated along with Gerhardt and Johann Heermann on the 26th of this month. My Nicholai (spelled with a "ch," instead of just a "c" or a "k," because I liked it better that way) was baptized on the 27th of October at Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne. That's where we still held our church membership, even though we had already moved to South Bend by that point. I was only two months into my first regular semester of doctoral studies at the University of Notre Dame, and Fort Wayne still felt like home; Zion was still our church.

Nicholai's baptism was a blessed event. We gathered with a nice group of people in the little side chapel at Zion. Pastor Schaibley preached and celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, and Kantor Resch played the wonderful little organ. I'm sure we must have sung at least one of Philipp Nicolai's great hymns, either the King or the Queen of chorales, if not both. Nicholai's godparents were there, the Reverend Kevin and Kersti Loughran, our long-time dear friends. A lot of things have blurred in my mind over the past thirteen years, including some of the details of that day, but I still remember the occasion itself very vividly.

I certainly remember Nicholai's birth, as well. Little Zach and DoRena were there with us to witness the event, along with LaRena's Dad, too. Nicholai was the first of the seven children we have had delivered at St. Jo Med Center in South Bend. It's hard to believe that it was thirteen years ago, and also hard to believe it was that long ago I started at Notre Dame. Our life seemed pretty precarious in those days, and I still don't know how we managed to survive. One day at a time, I guess—so I suppose things haven't changed that much. It was shortly after I had been accepted at Notre Dame that we found out that Nicholai was on the way, and it was daunting to consider the challenge ahead of us. Nevertheless, from the first moment I held that dear little boy in my arms, there's no way that I could imagine our life without him.

He's almost six years younger than Zachary, which has meant that he's always been one of the "younger ones," even though he's at least that much older, himself, than Oly'anna, Justinian, Frederick and Gerhardt. Now that Zach and DoRena are off and about in the great wide world, and Nicholai has grown a foot (or more) in the past year, and he's just become a teenager, he's the big man on campus anymore. I really am amazed at how much he's grown, and at how well he's growing up, not only in stature but in maturity and poise and responsibility. He's too much like his father in his exuberance and overzealousness, and it's a shame that I (of all people) get impatient with him for those very traits, but I know that he means well. He has a good heart; he is kind and considerate and sympathetic to a fault, even if he doesn't always know how best to be of help. He's also quite intelligent, and a natural artist. I don't know what he's going to be when he grows up, but I sure am pleased and proud with the path that he's progressing on.

He's named, not only for the great Philipp Nicolai, but also for the first and second Martins: Luther and Chemnitz (take your pick!). If I had been born a day later than I was in November, I would have been named a "Martin" instead of a "Don Richard." My Mom and Dad just didn't realize that I actually do share my birth date with Martin Chemnitz, so the name would have fit just fine. But I didn't hinge the moniker on any particular date, because I knew that I wanted to name a son after the great Reformer and the great Confessor. Both of them were named for St. Martin of Tours, anyway, so he can be thrown into the mix, as well.

Nicholai's third name, "Ignatius," is for the martyred second-century bishop of Antioch, one of my favorite early church fathers. A pastor of the first generation after the holy Apostles, St. Ignatius of Antioch was profoundly incarnational and sacramental in his theology, and he had a marvelous understanding of the Church and Ministry, of the Christian faith and life, and of the intimate connection between participation in the Sacrament and the martyrdom of discipleship. I could not imagine a better role model for any young man, for any Christian, or for any pastor. I don't know if Nicholai will aspire to the office of bishop (which is to speak of the pastoral office, and not of bureauocratic or political positions), but I am confident that his life will be offered as a living sacrifice of repentant faith to the glory of God in Christ and for the benefit of his neighbor. He has a more compassionate and loving heart than I shall ever have, and I am humbled by it.

Being given an "extra" middle name made Nicholai something of a trendsetter in our family. DoRena and Zachary started out with the typical allotment of names (first, middle, last), but then along came Nicky Marty Iggy (as my good friend Jim nicknamed him right away), and it all snowballed from there. I don't believe that he or any of his siblings regret it. DoRena and Zach received additonal nomenclature when they were confirmed (and DoRena yet again, to her surprise, in the Christmas letter one year), but it was Nicholai that broke the ice and led the way. Which goes to show that even middle children can be the first at some things.

10 October 2007

On Not Improving Hymns

In researching Gerhardt and his hymnody, I was struck by the following passage from the book, In the Shadow of His Wings: Paul Gerhardt and His Hymns (an English translation by Nelda Roth of Paul Gerhardt und seine Lieder, by Jörg Erb). I suspect it will resonate with my good friend, Susan, who already doesn't need any convincing on this matter.

Commenting on the many "improvements" that are made, not only in the translating of hymns but by way of editing the texts in their original language, the author first of all observes that "these improvements are divided into two fundamenally different groups. For the first: one takes offense at a grammatical expression, finds it doesn't help, and [makes a change that] becomes out of date and no more understandable. Worse is the other art for improvement . . . [wherein] there was less concern for the form of the speech than the contents of the statement, which was watered down and falsified according to the taste of the times."

Then follows the assessment of one Mathias Claudius, who "did not think much of such improvements." His opinion is cited, as follows: "In modern times the old church hymns will be changed. Now I am convinced that the government could not do anything better or give anything better to their subjects than a good hymnbook. Nothing surpasses powerful hymns. There is a blessing in them, and they are like wings of truth on which we can for a time float over the vale of tears. Of course, many hymns are not the way they should be, which is very true. But I don't know if the fault lies with the improvement or the improver. Enough!

"It seems to me the outfit does not make the man, and if the man is good, then all is good. If there is a button not in the right place or a seam sewed crooked, is that so important in the end? Who sees it? One is so used to that and often one insists that it must be just so. So for an example of 'Commit whatever grieves thee,' which at times in younger years wasn't as it should have been, it was often sung devotionally with the mother. It was like an old friend in the house who was trusted and from whom advice and comfort was sought in similar situations. If these are set-up in a different way and put to modern rock, then we don't trust Him, and we are not certain if the old friend is still in there looking for the misplaced button and crooked seam." (In the Shadow of His Wings, translated by Nelda Roth, 2001, pages 129-131)

A Quaint Little Rendering of Gerhardt

From the Moravian hymnal of 1754, a quaint rendering of the original Stanza VIII of Gerhardt's lovely Nun ruhen alle Wälder (compare stanza 4 of "Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow," LSB #880); with a nod and a smile to Karin and her brood:

Display Thy both wings over
Thy chickens and them cover,
O Jesu, Savior mild!
If devils would disturb 'em,
Let holy angels curb 'em
And bid them never touch Thy child.

Concerning the original stanza, which is often used as a prayer in its own right, Theodore Brown Hewitt relates the following touching incident:

"A troop of French soldiers entered Lisberg, a small town of Hesse, on the 14th of September, 1796, plundered and killed the inhabitants, and burned the whole town. A little way distant, at the foot of a mountain, was a small cottage in which a mother sat by the bedside of her sick child. Hearing the noise in the town and seeing the burning houses she locked the door and knelt by the bedside and prayed. As the door burst open and a furious soldier rushed in, she spread her hands over the child and cried: 'Breit aus die Flügel beide, O Jesu, meine Freude, . . .' and lo! the wild soldier suddenly dropped his arm, stepped to the bed, and laid his rough hand gently on the child's head. Then going outside he stood guard that none of his troop might harm the cottage." (from Paul Gerhardt as a Hymn Writer and His Influence on English Hymnody, readily accessible on the internet, and well worth the effort for anyone interested in Gerhardt)

Such anecdotal stories are not uncommon concerning Gerhardt's hymns, a testimony to their poetic power, tender piety and theological comfort.

09 October 2007

Father Gerhardt to His Son, Paul Friedrich

Within a few months of his death, having been orphaned already in his own youth, having lost all of his siblings to death, as likewise his dear young wife and four of their five children in infancy; having suffered for the sake of his confession and been driven from his pastoral office in Berlin by the elector, the Reverend Paul Gerhardt wrote the following "Last Will and Testament" to his one surviving son, the thirteen-year-old Paul Friedrich. Given all that the sweet singer of Germany had witnessed and endured in the course of his 70 years on this earth, this confident testimony of faith in the Lord is all the more remarkable.

God grant us, in His mercy and by His grace, that all of us who are His own dear children should live and die in such a manner as His faithful, pious and believing servant, Pastor Gerhardt (1607-1676). That humble man of blessed memory is best known for his beautiful hymns, but the witness and example of his confession are no less salutary:

Paul Gerhardt's Will and Testament to His Son, Paul Friedrich:

After reaching my 70th year and truly having the joyful hope that my loving and gracious God will in a short time deliver me from this world and lead me into a much better life than I have had so far on this earth, I thank God ahead of time for all His kindness and faithfulness which He has given me and demonstrated from my mother's womb in body and soul and everything until this very hour. Besides, I pray from the bottom of my heart that He would grant me, when my hour comes, a happy departure, and that He would take my soul in His fatherly hand and give my body a gentle rest in the earth until He returns on the wonderful judgment day. Then I will be with all of my family who have died and those who will die in the future, and I will awaken to see my precious Lord Jesus Christ in whom I have believed. Even though I have never seen Him, I will see Him face to face.

To my only son whom I am leaving behind, I will bestow on him very little worldly goods, but at the same time an honest name of which he will never need to be ashamed. My son knows that, from childhood, I gave him to the Lord that he might become a servant and preacher of God's holy Word. He should stay with that and not be concerned if he has only a few good days. Because our loving God knows the solution and can change the outer distress to inward joy of the heart and happiness of the spirit.

Study the holy theology in clean schools and at unadulterated universities and protect yourself from the Syncretist idiots who always look for the secular and are neither true to God nor man. In your life do not follow bad companionship but follow the wishes and commands of your God.

1. Never do anything bad in the hope that it will not be discovered, because nothing is ever woven so fine that it will not be found out.

2. Do not let yourself be provoked to anger outside of your office and profession. If you notice your anger inflamed, keep a profound silence and do not say one word until you have prayerfully gone through the Ten Commandments and Christian Creed.

3. Be ashamed of the carnal sinful lusts and if you, someday, come to such years that you can get married, then marry with God's wisdom and good advice from pious, faithful, and intelligent people.

4. Do good to people, even if they do not reward you immediately, because what man does not reward has been rewarded long ago by the Creator of heaven and earth when He created you, when He gave His loving Son, and when He took you upon Himself as His child and heir at your Holy Baptism.

5. Avoid greediness like hell; be satisfied with what you have, with what you acquired with honor and a good conscience, even if it is not much. If our loving God should shower you with much more, then entreat Him that He may guard you against the loathsome misuses of temporal goods.

To sum it all up: Pray diligently; study what is honorable, live peacefully, serve honestly, and remain steadfast in your faith and confession. Someday you will also die and leave this world willingly, happily, and blessedly. Amen.

(Here cited from the book, In the Shadow of His Wings: Paul Gerhardt and His Hymns, pp. 61-63, being an English translation by Nelda Roth of Paul Gerhardt und seine Lieder, by Jörg Erb)

08 October 2007

Don't Blink

I don't know about anyone else, but I am pleased to find that Kenny Chesney has come back to the mainland. As I mentioned to Zach on the phone last night, Kenny's new record, Who I Am: Poets & Pirates, is a return to form for the country singer. Not that his previous several records have been all that bad, but his beach-bumming, sail-boating, Jimmy-Buffeting have worn a little thin and become a bit tedious for my tastes. Poets & Pirates includes far more variety, both musically and lyrically, than Kenny has delivered for a number of years now. Okay, I guess The Road and the Radio (2005) was already a step in the right direction, but now we're really getting somewhere. At any rate, that's how it seems to me.

In commenting on Brooks & Dunn the other day, I suggested that the best and most durable country acts tend to be married with children, and those who aren't stand out as unusual. Well, Kenny Chesney is one of those notable exceptions, and I sense that he is feeling that, too. He had that brief but well-publicized marriage to Renee Zellwegger, but he doesn't have a home and family. Although he doesn't write his own songs, his selection and performance of those he chooses to sing and record are revealing. He's back to singing about the nostalgic good ol' days, as he often has, and he'd have us believe that he still enjoys the freedom to live the wild life and get a little crazy. Those songs are fine, but I don't find them terribly convincing. Kenny's ideal of happiness has always been marrying his high school sweetheart and having children. He says as much, straight up, in the song, "Wife and Kids," which sounds like it comes from the heart. It's the life he dreams about, but he's not living it.

The best songs on Poets & Pirates, which certainly include "Wife and Kids," are songs that take a serious and sober look at transient life. "Shiftwork" (a duet with George Strait) and "Wild Ride" (featuring the great Joe Walsh on some truly funky guitar work) are great fun and very cool. There's no doubt that Kenny knows how to kick back, relax, and have a good time. Then again, what else is he going to do with himself? I expect he can't help but look at his buddy, Tim McGraw, with his beautiful wife and adorable children, and feel more than a twinge of envy and regret. Financial prosperity and popular success really don't provide the genuine happiness and satisfaction of a family and a home where the heart is. Kenny's high school sweetheart married someone else, evidently, and now he's got nothing but time on his hands, sand between his toes, and one more round of rum or whatever, until he wakes up with some girl he doesn't even know.

"Don't Blink" is a poignant song about an old man reflecting on his very full life and how fast it has gone by. It may be my favorite, but it hits me pretty close to home these days, as time flies by and my "babies" are all growing up. But I wonder how much harder it must be for someone like Kenny Cheseny, who sees the days coming and going without anyone to grow old with, and without any children or grandchildren. In "Just Not Today," he'd like to put off "growing up," but who is he kdding? That plays alright when you're in high school or college, maybe, but not so well anymore when you're in your 30s (or whatever he is these days). No, I think you hear the melancholy blues that rattle around in Kenny's heart and mind when he sings "Better as a Memory," or "Demons." Does the possibly serious romance in "Scare Me" really scare him as much as the prospect of having no serious romance? Is there not a hint of admiration and longing when he sings about a single mom who's "Dancin' for the Groceries," because at least she's working for her children and her future? The "sad" songs on this record are the better and stronger ones, but they do make me feel sorry for Kenny. I wouldn't trade my family for all his money, fame and Island-hopping freedom, not in a heartbeat.

07 October 2007

Hymns for January Festivals

Circumcision and Name of Jesus (1 January)
Numbers 6:22–27
Galatians 3:23–29
Luke 2:21

Processional Hymn
Break forth, O beauteous heav’nly light (LSB 378)

Hymn of the Day
The ancient Law departs (LSB 898)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)
In the shattered bliss of Eden (LSB 572)
Jesus! Name of wondrous love (LSB 900)

Processional Out
Now greet the swiftly changing year (LSB 896)

Alternative Hymns
All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ name (LSB 549)
At the name of Jesus (LSB 512)
Baptized into Your name most holy (LSB 590)
Come, your hearts and voices raising (LSB 375)
God’s own child, I gladly say it (LSB 594)
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds (LSB 524)
Let us all with gladsome voice (LSB 390)
Lord, dismiss us with Your blessing (LSB 924)
No temple now, no gift of price (LSB 530)
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild (LSB 546)
O Savior of our fallen race (LSB 403)
O sing of Christ, whose birth made known (LSB 362)
The infant priest was holy born (LSB 624)


The Confession of St. Peter (18 January)
Acts 4:8–13
2 Peter 1:1–15
Mark 8:27–35 (36—9:1)

Processional Hymn
By all Your saints in warfare (LSB 517)

Hymn of the Day
At the name of Jesus (LSB 512)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Seek where you may to find a way (LSB 557)
Built on the Rock the Church shall stand (LSB 645)
Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s head (LSB 647)

Processional Out
Christ is made the sure foundation (LSB 909)

Alternative Hymns
All Christians who have been baptized (LSB 596)
Alleluia! Let praises ring (LSB 822)
Behold a host, arrayed in white (LSB 676)
Church of God, elect and glorious (LSB 646)
"Come, follow Me," the Savior spake (LSB 688)
From God can nothing move me (LSB 713)
God of the prophets, bless the prophets’ sons (LSB 682)
Holy God, we praise Thy name (LSB 940)
I bind unto myself today (LSB 604)
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me (LSB 683)
Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide (LSB 585)
Rejoice, my heart, be glad and sing (LSB 737)
Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit (LSB 681)
The Church’s one foundation (LSB 644)
We all believe in one true God (LSB 954)
Ye watchers and ye holy ones (LSB 670)


St. Timothy, Pastor and Confessor (24 January)
Acts 16:1–5
1 Timothy 6:11–16
Matthew 24:42–47

Processional Hymn
The gifts Christ freely gives (LSB 602)

Hymn of the Day
God of the prophets, bless the prophets’ sons (LSB 682)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
O Holy Spirit, grant us grace (LSB 693)
Shepherd of tender youth (LSB 864)
The Church’s one foundation (LSB 644)

Processional Out
Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word (LSB 655)

Alternative Hymns
"Come, follow Me," the Savior spake (LSB 688)
How clear is our vocation, Lord (LSB 853)
I know my faith is founded (LSB 587)
Preach you the Word, and plant it home (LSB 586)
Preserve Your Word, O Savior (LSB 658)
Rise, my soul, to watch and pray (LSB 663)
Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit (LSB 681)
Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens (LSB 589)


The Conversion of St. Paul (25 January)
Acts 9:1–22
Galatians 1:11–24
Matthew 19:27–30

Processional Hymn
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness (LSB 578)

Hymn of the Day
O God, O Lord of heaven and earth (LSB 834)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Chief of sinners though I be (LSB 611)
O Morning Star, how fair and bright (LSB 395)
By all Your saints in warfare (LSB 517)

Processional Out
May God bestow on us His grace (LSB 823)

Alternative Hymns
"As surely as I live," God said (LSB 614)
How clear is our vocation, Lord (LSB 853)
Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal (LSB 533)
Jesus sinners doth receive (LSB 609)
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me (LSB 683)
Let us ever walk with Jesus (LSB 685)
Lord, enthroned in heav’nly splendor (LSB 534)
Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide (LSB 585)
Lord, ‘tis not that I did choose Thee (LSB 573)
O Christ, our true and only light (LSB 839)
O God of God, O Light of Light (LSB 810)
Ye watchers and ye holy ones (LSB 670)


St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor (26 January)
Acts 20:28–35
Titus 1:1–9
Luke 10:1–9

Processional Hymn
God has spoken by His prophets (LSB 583)

Hymn of the Day
Preach you the Word, and plant it home (LSB 586)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
O little flock, fear not the foe (LSB 666)
The gifts Christ freely gives (LSB 602)
A multitude comes from the east and the west (LSB 510)

Processional Out
O God of light, Your Word, a lamp unfailing (LSB 836)

Alternative Hymns
God of the prophets, bless the prophets’ sons (LSB 682)
Have no fear, little flock (LSB 735)
How clear is our vocation, Lord (LSB 853)
If God Himself be for me (LSB 724)
Lord, dismiss us with Your blessing (LSB 924)
O Holy Spirit, grant us grace (LSB 693)
Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit (LSB 681)
Shepherd of tender youth (LSB 864)
Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens (LSB 589)
We are called to stand together (LSB 828)

06 October 2007

The House that Kix and Ronnie Built

I rarely listen to the radio anymore, since I normally prefer my own collection of music. That should make the Arbitron survey that I'm supposed to do this coming week relatively simple! But as I was driving the children around in the great white van yesterday, I did happen to have the radio on, and I took note that the song, "Proud of the House We Built," by Brooks & Dunn, is getting airplay. I was glad to hear it. It's a great song, and one of the many highlights on a great new record, Cowboy Town, which was released earlier this week.

Brooks & Dunn have been making solid country music for a good many years now, at least since the early 1990s. I think they've only gotten better with time. Anyway, the last couple of records have been outstanding, and Cowboy Town has continued in that trend. Musically, they've been steady and consistent. They have their own distinctive sound; not only their voices, which complement each other well and are ideally suited for the genre they sing, but also their musical accompaniment, the tone of their guitars, the rhythm of the drums, the cadence of their beat. There's a nice variety within each of their records, but it all works within recognizable parameters. There is one new song, "Drop in the Bucket," that could honestly pass for classic ZZ Top, but otherwise you know a Brooks & Dunn song when you hear it.

The songwriting has improved, however, and that's where I think they've really gotten better over the past two decades. The ability to write and perform good songs is more important in country music than rock 'n' roll, and it has become a genuine strength of Brooks & Dunn. They have a sense of humor, which isn't overplayed or too much, but they also know how to be serious and reflective without becoming preachy or pedantic. You get the idea that they actually live in the "real world" and care about it. They have a playful side, which is refreshingly playful, yet there's clearly more to their lives than goofiness and good times. I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to guess that Kix and Ronnie are family men with wives and children. At any rate, the better and more durable country acts tend to be married with children (and those who aren't stand out).

Cowboy Town is entertaining and satisfying, and I suspect that it will wear well with repeated listening. I don't know for sure whether my Zach or DoRena will like it; I'm sometimes surprised by their tastes (go figure), but I do think they should each give this one a listen. I'm loving "Proud of the House We Built," both as I reflect upon my own family and our current plans and prospects, and as I consider the future homes that my older children are on the verge of establishing and building for themselves. I'm certainly proud of my family and our home, in a way that has little to do with buildings and a whole lot to do with relationships and values.

Some of the other highlights on Cowboy Town are the title track, "Johnny Cash Junkie (Buck Owens Freak)," "Cowgirls Don't Cry," "Put a Girl in It" (which may be my personal favorite on this record), and "Tequila." The aforementioned "Drop in a Bucket" is also quite a good song, and, really, the whole record is quite solid. For those who like such things, I do recommend it.

05 October 2007

Hymns for December Festivals

St. Thomas, Apostle (21 December)
Judges 6:36–40
Ephesians 4:7, 11–16
John 20:24–29

Processional Hymn
Sing with all the saints in glory (LSB 671)

Hymn of the Day
These things did Thomas count as real (LSB 472)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
The gifts Christ freely gives (LSB 602)
Jesus, grant that balm and healing (LSB 421)
Crown Him with many crowns (LSB 525)

Processional Out
Lo! He comes with clouds descending (LSB 336)

Alternative Hymns
"As surely as I live," God said (LSB 614)
Baptismal waters cover me (LSB 616)
By all Your saints in warfare (LSB 517)
How clear is our vocation, Lord (LSB 853)
I lie, O Lord, within Your care (LSB 885)
If God Himself be for me (LSB 724)
Now, my tongue, the myst’ry telling (LSB 630)
O come, O come, Emmanuel (LSB 357)
O Savior, rend the heavens wide (LSB 355)
Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit (LSB 681)
The infant priest was holy born (LSB 624)
Water, blood, and Spirit crying (LSB 597)


St. Stephen, Martyr (26 December)
2 Chronicles 24:17–22
Acts 6:8—7:2a, 51–60
Matthew 23:34–39

Processional Hymn
Christ sits at God’s right hand (LSB 564)

Hymn of the Day
The Son of God goes forth to war (LSB 661)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Wide open stand the gates (LSB 639)
The infant priest was holy born (LSB 624)
Why should cross and trial grieve me (LSB 756)

Processional Out
A great and mighty wonder (LSB 383)

Alternative Hymns
All glory be to God on high (LSB 947)
By all Your saints in warfare (LSB 517)
Crown Him with many crowns (LSB 525)
"Forgive our sins as we forgive" (LSB 843)
Holy God, we praise Thy name (LSB 940)
Jerusalem, O city fair and high (LSB 674)
Lord of our life and God of our salvation (LSB 659)
No temple now, no gift of price (LSB 530)
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)
The Church’s one foundation (LSB 644)


St. John, Apostle and Evangelist (27 December)
Revelation 1:1–6
1 John 1:1—2:2
John 21:20–25

Processional Hymn
O sing of Christ, whose birth made known (LSB 362)

Hymn of the Day
O Word of God incarnate (LSB 523)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (LSB 621)
O Savior of our fallen race (LSB 403)
Of the Father’s love begotten (LSB 384)

Processional Out
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness (LSB 578)

Alternative Hymns
By all Your saints in warfare (LSB 517)
Christ, the Word of God incarnate (LSB 540)
From God the Father, virgin-born (LSB 401)
Lord, enthroned in heav’nly splendor (LSB 534)
O God of God, O Light of Light (LSB 810)
O God of light, Your Word, a lamp unfailing (LSB 836)
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)
Praise be to Christ in whom we see (LSB 538)
We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)
Word of God, come down on earth (LSB 545)


The Holy Innocents, Martyrs (28 December)
Jeremiah 31:15–17
Revelation 14:1–5
Matthew 2:13–18

Processional Hymn
We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)

Hymn of the Day
Sweet Flowerets of the Martyr Band (LSB Accompaniment 969)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
In the very midst of life (LSB 755)
All my heart again rejoices (LSB 360)
By all Your saints in warfare (LSB 517)

Processional Out
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)

Alternative Hymns
Behold a host, arrayed in white (LSB 676)
Children of the heav’nly Father (LSB 725)
Jerusalem the golden (LSB 672)
Now rest beneath night’s shadow (LSB 880)
O gladsome Light, O grace (LSB 888)
O little flock, fear not the foe (LSB 666)
Shepherd of tender youth (LSB 864)
Sing with all the saints in glory (LSB 671)
The infant priest was holy born (LSB 624)
The star proclaims the King is here (LSB 399)
When aimless violence takes those we love (LSB 764)
Why should cross and trial grieve me (LSB 756)


New Year’s Eve (31 December)
Isaiah 30:(8–14) 15–17
Romans 8:31b–39
Luke 12:35–40

Processional Hymn / Hymn of Invocation
Wake, awake, for night is flying (LSB 516)

Hymn of the Day
Across the Sky the Shades of Night (LSB 899)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide (LSB 585)
I lie, O Lord, within Your care (LSB 885)
Now rest beneath night’s shadow (LSB 880)

Processional Out / Hymn of Departure
Let us all with gladsome voice (LSB 390)

Alternative Hymns
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide (LSB 878)
All depends on our possessing (LSB 732)
All praise to Thee, my God, this night (LSB 883)
Christ, mighty Savior, Light of all creation (LSB 881)
Come, your hearts and voices raising (LSB 375)
Evening and morning (LSB 726)
I walk in danger all the way (LSB 716)
If God Himself be for me (LSB 724)
In Thee is gladness (LSB 818)
Jesus, priceless treasure (LSB 743)
Lord, support us all day long (LSB 884)
Now greet the swiftly changing year (LSB 896)
O Christ, who art the Light and Day (LSB 882)
O God, our help in ages past (LSB 733)
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)
O love, how deep, how broad, how high (LSB 544)
Rise, my soul, to watch and pray (LSB 663)
What God ordains is always good (LSB 760)

Hymns for Christmas Tide Series A

The Nativity of Our Lord
Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols


Office Hymn
Silent night, holy night (LSB 363)

First Lesson
Genesis 3:8–15 (The promised Seed shall bruise the serpent’s head)

First Carol
Savior of the nations, come (LSB 332)

Second Lesson
Genesis 22:15–18 (The Lord’s gracious promise to Abraham)

Second Carol
Creator of the stars of night (LSB 351)

Third Lesson
Isaiah 7:10–15 (The Virgin shall conceive and bear Emmanuel)

Third Carol
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild (LSB 546)

Fourth Lesson
St. Luke 1:26–38 (The Annunciation unto the Virgin St. Mary)

Fourth Carol
The angel Gabriel from heaven came (LSB 356)

Fifth Lesson
Isaiah 60:1–6 (The Glory of the Lord has risen upon you)

Fifth Carol
Come, your hearts and voices raising (LSB 375)

Sixth Lesson
Isaiah 62:10–12 (The Lord comes with salvation for you)

Sixth Carol / Catechetical Hymn of the Week
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming (LSB 359)

Seventh Lesson
St. Matthew 1:18–25 (The Birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior)

Seventh Carol
Away in a manger (LSB 364/365)

Eighth Lesson
1 John 4:7–16 (Let us love one another, for love is from God)

Eighth Carol
Once in royal David's city (LSB 376)

Ninth Lesson
St. John 1:1–14 (The Word became Flesh and dwells among us)

Ninth Carol
Hark! The herald angels sing (LSB 380)

Processional Out / Hymn of Departure
Joy to the world (LSB 387)

Alternative Hymns and Carols
A great and mighty wonder (LSB 383)
Angels from the realms of glory (LSB 367)
Angels we have heard on high (LSB 368)
From heav’n above to earth I come (LSB 358)
Gentle Mary laid her child (LSB 374)
Infant holy, infant lowly (LSB 393)
It came upon the midnight clear (LSB 366)
Let our gladness have no end (LSB 381)
Let the earth now praise the Lord (LSB 352)
Now sing we, now rejoice (LSB 386)
O come, all ye faithful (LSB 379)
O come, O come, Emmanuel (LSB 357)
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)
O little town of Bethlehem (LSB 361)
O sing of Christ, whose birth made known (LSB 362)
Of the Father’s love begotten (LSB 384)
On Christmas night all Christians sing (LSB 377)
The people that in darkness sat (LSB 412)
We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)
What child is this, who, laid to rest (LSB 370)


The Nativity of Our Lord
Midnight ChristMass

Isaiah 9:2–7
Titus 2:11–14
Luke 2:1–14 (15–20)

Processional Hymn
Of the Father's love begotten (LSB 384)

Hymn of the Day
From heav’n above to earth I come (LSB 358)

Offertory Hymn
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (LSB 621)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)
A great and mighty wonder (LSB 383)
The infant priest was holy born (LSB 624)

Processional Out
Break forth, O beauteous heav’nly light (LSB 378)

Alternative Hymns
All my heart again rejoices (LSB 360)
Come, your hearts and voices raising (LSB 375)
Hark! The herald angels sing (LSB 380)
Infant holy, infant lowly (LSB 393)
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming (LSB 359)
O gladsome Light, O grace (LSB 888)
On Christmas night all Christians sing (LSB 377)
We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)


The Nativity of Our Lord
Christmas Dawn

Isaiah 62:10–12
Titus 3:4–7
Luke 2: (1–14) 15–20

Processional Hymn
Break forth, O beauteous heav’nly light (LSB 378)

Hymn of the Day
Come, your hearts and voices raising (LSB 375)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming (LSB 359)
From heav’n above to earth I come (LSB 358)
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)

Processional Out
Hark! The herald angels sing (LSB 380)

Alternative Hymns
All my heart again rejoices (LSB 360)
Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice (LSB 556)
From east to west (LSB 385)
Let all together praise our God (LSB 389)
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild (LSB 546)
O Savior of our fallen race (LSB 403)
O sing of Christ, whose birth made known (LSB 362)
Rejoice, rejoice this happy morn (LSB 391)
The infant priest was holy born (LSB 624)
We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)


The Nativity of Our Lord
Christmas Day

Isaiah 52:7–10
Hebrews 1:1–6 (7–12)
John 1:1–14 (15–18)

Divine Service, Setting Five (LSB 213–218)

Entrance Hymn
Of the Father’s love begotten (LSB 384)

Kyrie Hymn
Kyrie! God, Father in heav’n above (LSB 942)

Gloria Hymn
All glory be to God alone (LSB 948)

Gradual Hymn
Rejoice, rejoice this happy morn (LSB 391)

Hymn of the Day
We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)

Creedal Hymn
We all believe in one true God (LSB 954)

Offertory Hymn
Come, your hearts and voices raising (LSB 375)

Sanctus Hymn
Isaiah, mighty seer in days of old (LSB 960)

Agnus Dei
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God (LSB 198)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
All my heart again rejoices (LSB 360)
Lo, how a rose e’er blooming (LSB 359) (Catechetical Hymn)
Savior of the nations, come (LSB 332)

Post-Communion Hymn
O Lord, we praise Thee (LSB 617)

Processional Out
Hark! The herald angels sing (LSB 380)

Alternative Hymns
A great and mighty wonder (LSB 383)
From heav'n above to earth I come (LSB 358)
Infant holy, infant lowly (LSB 393)
Let all mortal flesh keep silence (LSB 621)
Let all together praise our God (LSB 389)
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild (LSB 546)
O Savior of our fallen race (LSB 403)
The infant priest was holy born (LSB 624)
Wake, awake, for night is flying (LSB 516)


First Sunday after Christmas
Isaiah 63:7–14
Galatians 4:4–7
Matthew 2:13–23

Hymn of Invocation
Come, your hearts and voices raising (LSB 375)

Hymn of the Day / Catechetical Hymn of the Week
Let all together praise our God (LSB 389)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)
O Jesus Christ, Thy manger is (LSB 372)
Of the Father’s love begotten (LSB 384)
Children of the heav’nly Father (LSB 725)

Hymn of Departure
In peace and joy I now depart (LSB 938)

Alternative Hymns
All my heart again rejoices (LSB 360)
Angels from the realms of glory (LSB 367)
From heav’n above to earth I come (LSB 358)
Joy to the world (LSB 387)
Let our gladness have no end (LSB 381)
Let the earth now praise the Lord (LSB 352)
O Jesus so sweet, O Jesus so mild (LSB 546)
O rejoice, ye Christians, loudly (LSB 897)
O Savior of our fallen race (LSB 403)
Oh, what their joy and their glory must be (LSB 675)
Once He came in blessing (LSB 333)
Savior of the nations, come (LSB 332)
Sing with all the saints in glory (LSB 671)
The infant priest was holy born (LSB 624)
The only Son from heaven (LSB 402)
The people that in darkness sat (LSB 412)
What child is this, who, laid to rest (LSB 370)
Ye watchers and ye holy ones (LSB 670)


Second Sunday after Christmas
1 Kings 3:4–15
Ephesians 1:3–14
Luke 2:40–52

Hymn of Invocation / Catechetical Hymn of the Week
O Word of God incarnate (LSB 523)

Hymn of the Day
Within the Father’s house (LSB 410)

Hymns for the Distribution of the Holy Communion
From east to west (LSB 385)
Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice (LSB 556)
The only Son from heaven (LSB 402)
Oh, blest the house whate’er befall (LSB 862)

Hymn of Departure
Our Father, by whose name (LSB 863)

Alternative Hymns
Angels from the realms of glory (LSB 367)
Break forth, O beauteous heav’nly light (LSB 378)
Children of the heav’nly Father (LSB 725)
From God the Father, virgin-born (LSB 401)
God’s own child, I gladly say it (LSB 594)
Let our gladness have no end (LSB 381)
Lord of all hopefulness (LSB 738)
O God, my faithful God (LSB 696)
O Morning Star, how fair and bright (LSB 395)
Of the Father’s love begotten (LSB 384)
Once in royal David’s city (LSB 376)
Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens (LSB 589)
The gifts Christ freely gives (LSB 602)
The people that in darkness sat (LSB 412)
The star proclaims the King is here (LSB 399)
We praise You, Jesus, at Your birth (LSB 382)

04 October 2007

Expecto Patronum!

The Expecto Patronum spell in the Harry Potter books is the "Kyrie, Eleison" of faith. It is uttered in the expectation of help from the Father. In J.K. Rowling's fictional literary universe, it is a depiction — a tangible manifestation — of hope and happiness and love, even in the face of death. In actuality, faith is only ever as strong and as valuable as the object it lays hold of, as the only true and saving faith lays hold of Christ. The Expecto Patronum does not explicitly do that (not in so many words within the books), but it does rely upon the love of family and friends, and it looks for a salvation embodied outside of itself. Thus, the particular Patronus that Harry produces by this spell is a stag, like his father.

Harry is taught this very difficult spell at a remarkably young age by one of his spiritual fathers, Remus Lupin. And Harry, in turn, uses his Patronus primarily to protect and save others, as well as himself. What is more, he is instrumental in teaching this spell to his fellow students, encouraging them and helping them to produce Patronuses of their own. Allowing for poetic and literary license, this Expecto Patronum spell is quite a good analogy for Christian faith, which looks to the Father in Christ, calls upon Him in every trouble, and fully expects all good things from Him. It is the critical defensive armor and offensive weapon against doubt and despair.

Throughout most of the Harry Potter books, Expecto Patronum is the pivotal way in which Harry wards off dementors, those vile creatures which otherwise cause doubt and despair to the point of robbing people of their very souls. J.K. Rowling has described her entire series of books as an artistic expression of her own personal struggles to keep the faith and believe, such as every Christian wrestles with to one degree or another. If the dementors portray such demonic temptations, the Patronuses are the retaliation of persistent faith, which stubbornly refuses to succumb when threatened and attacked. Faced with hardship and loss, suffering and death, it is only faith in the Gospel of the Cross and Resurrection of Christ that rescues and preserves us in the love of God.

The frequent confrontations of Harry's Patronus with the dementors are among the most poignant and revealing aspects of the series. They depict the crucible in which the Christian faith is lived and worked out with fear and trembling. The devil, the world and our sinful flesh are dementors, all-too-real, which constantly assail us and tempt us to false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. In truth, we have no magic spell with which to defend ourselves against such assaults, but we do pray to our Father in faith, that He would lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, that He would guard us and keep us. We pray in the hope of the Resurrection, else we should have no hope at all and would be the most pitiable of men.

It is the Resurrection of Christ — who was crucified, dead and buried for us — that sustains us and gives us confidence against even the gates of hades. Appropriately, therefore, it is only the members of Dumbledore's Army and of the Order of the Phoenix, which is to say, only those who believe in the life after death, who ever use the Expecto Patronum spell. Voldemort and his Death Eaters never do. They fear death and finally have no real hope. They are driven by their fear, which produces hatred and violence. But Patronuses spring forth out of a hope and happiness that even death cannot destroy. To forfeit one's soul to the dementors would be the ultimate evil, but to die in faith and love is simply to go on to the next great adventure.

Such faith in the Gospel is no easy thing; indeed, one cannot produce this faith by his own reason or strength. It must be taught and given from outside of oneself. So it is that Harry learns the Expecto Patronum spell from Professor Lupin, who loves him and cares for him and persists in catechizing him, so to speak, for the sake of his soul. And actually being able to produce a Patronus depends upon the happiness and hope that come from being loved by family and friends. Real Christian faith is not so different from this. Of course, the truly saving faith is far more than optimistic reliance upon loved ones; it is confident trust in Christ and His forgiveness of sins. But that very faith is given through the catechesis of the Gospel by fathers in Christ who speak it faithfully and lovingly for the salvation of our souls; and it is supported and sustained by the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren, by Christian family and friends, and especially by the congregation of the faithful.

I was powerfully reminded of these things last night, as I was reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to my Monica and Ariksander. We're nearing the end of the book at this point, and yesterday we came to a particular passage that I had largely forgotten in its details, but which I have found to be quite moving each time I have enountered it (this is now my fourth time through the book). Some of my close friends have mentioned junctures in the story that have hit them close to home and brought them to tears; that's how it was for me last night.

It's at a point when Harry has just witnessed the shocking and sudden death of his close friend, Fred Weasely, and he has just seen another of his dearest friends, Hagrid, carried off by a mass of giant spiders, presumably to die. Harry is making his way to Voldemort, because he knows that he will have to confront him in order to bring an end to all the warring madness. Yet, Harry has no idea what he will find or how he will be able to accomplish the task. He is already feeling overwhelmed and on the brink; death has him surrounded and appears to be closing in fast.

All of this is threatening enough, but then Harry and Ron and Hermione are set upon by a huge swarm of dementors, a hundred of them. Their faith and hope are most sorely tried and tested, as follows (from Deathly Hallows, pages 648-649):

The air around them had frozen: Harry's breath caught and solidified in his chest. Shapes moved out in the darkness, swirling figures of concentrated blackness, moving in a great wave toward the castle, their faces hooded and their breath rattling.

Ron and Hermione closed in beside him as the sounds of fighting behind them grew suddenly muted, deadened, because a silence only dementors could bring was falling thickly through the night, and Fred was gone, and Hagrid was surely dying or already dead.

"Come on, Harry!" said Hermione's voice from a very long way away. "Patronuses, Harry, come on!"

He raised his wand, but a dull hopelessness was spreading through him: How many more lay dead that he did not yet know about; he felt as though his soul had already half left his body.

"HARRY, COME ON!" screamed Hermione.

A hundred dementors were advancing, gliding toward them, sucking their way closer to Harry's despair, which was like a promise of a feast.

He saw Ron's silver terrier [Patronus] burst into the air, flicker feebly, and expire; he saw Hermione's otter twist in midair and fade; and his own wand trembled in his hand, and he almost welcomed the oncoming oblivion, the promise of nothing, of no feeling.

And then a silver hare, a boar, and a fox soared past Harry, Ron, and Hermione's heads: The dementors fell back before the creatures' approach. Three more people had arrived out of the darkness to stand beside them, their wands outstretched, continuing to cast their Patronuses: Luna, Ernie, and Seamus.

"That's right," said Luna encouragingly, as if they were back in the Room of Requirements and this was simply spell practice for the D.A. "That's right, Harry . . . come on, think of something happy."

"Something happy?" he said, his voice cracked.

"We're all still here," she whispered, "we're still fighting. Come on, now."

There was a silver spark, then a wavering light, and then, with the greatest effort it had ever cost him, the stag burst from the end of Harry's wand. It cantered forward, and now the dementors scattered in earnest, and immediately the night was mild again.

What really struck me was not simply the drama and suspense of this encounter. As far as that goes, I had largely forgotten the details of it, even after three previous reads. No, what moved me in this passage was the way in which Harry was rescued from despair and restored to faith and hope and happiness by the help and support of others.

Harry has by this point become the master of Patronuses. Time and time again, he has cast the Expecto Patronum spell and produced his stag to impressive effect. He learned it from Lupin, but he is the once who has since taught the spell so efficiently to many others; though no one else is ever as adept at it as Harry. Now, especially, everything hinges on Harry; everyone is depending on him. But see how weary and beleaguered he has become. See how close he has come to abandoning hope, to giving up and giving way to oblivion. He cannot save himself; how shall he save anyone else? It needs to be remembered that Harry is not Jesus, not even by fictional analogy. He is as an example of discipleship, of one who bears the cross in faith. And just now he is very near to collapsing under the weight of the cross and succumbing to unbelief.

That is how it can become for any Christian, and no less so for a pastor. Indeed, just because a pastor is the one upon so many others depend for the catechesis of the Word, for the nurturing of faith, he is for all of that attacked more fiercely and perhaps even more prone to melancholy. As for myself, there have certainly been times (and I expect there will be more to come) when I have known exactly the way that Harry feels at this point in the story. With an army of dementors closing in on me, and seemingly everyone depending upon me, it's all I can do to hold myself up or stammer a word; far less am I be able, by myself, to muster the strength of faith, hope and love. I may know all the right answers, and know exactly what I ought to do — what I so desperately need to do, for myself and for the sake of others — but there's nothing doing.

But this goes back to not going it alone. Often as not, my dear God and Father does not even wait for me to call upon Him before He answers with the help and comfort of my siblings, even younger siblings, as it were, or maybe my own spiritual children and students. Suddenly there are other people there, other Christians, emerging from the darkness with their own confident confession of the faith. Their Patronuses leap into the fray and begin to scatter the demons that torment me like the pale ghosts they are, so that my own heart can take comfort again and rejoice in the Gospel. What hope? What happiness? What life in the midst of death? It is Christ the Crucified! He has come to my rescue by the way and the means of my fellow disciples, and, calling me back to repentance, enlivening my faith and strengthening me for the fight, He again serves them through me. He reawakens the song of salvation within me, and puts the prayer and confession of faith once more upon my lips, so that I am enabled to slay dire doubt and deadly despair with the very breath of life, which is the voice of the Gospel.

When his beloved godfather, Sirius, was killed near the end of The Order of the Phoenix, Harry was beside himself with grief and guilt and anger and frustration. Indeed, he was inconsolable, and little interested in even being consoled. It was his friend Luna Lovegood, then, who cheered his spirit and lifted his countenance with her word of the resurrection, of the life after death. I do not think it was a lark when J.K. Rowling put that same Luna at the front of those three who emerged out of the night with their Patronuses to rescue Harry, Ron and Hermione from the dementors. That dear sweet girl, loopy perhaps, but innocent and without guile, had lost her own mother to death at an early age, and she had learned to live in the hope of the resurrection. There is a bit of J.K. Rowling in Luna, I think, but the author puts upon her character's lips the confession of hope that Harry and all of us can sometimes find so elusive, if not impossible.

Come on, Harry, think of something happy. "Something happy?" If Christ has not been raised, our faith has been in vain. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of all those who have fallen asleep in the faith of His Gospel. Where He is, there shall we be also.

I thank God for those loony lovers of good that He sends to speak the sweet Word of Christ to me when all hell is breaking loose and the gates of hades are threatening to overpower me. For then it is not just "me, myself and I," but We are still here; we are still fighting; we are still believing, teaching, confessing, and praying: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Yea and Amen! It shall be so.

Where, Oh, Where Have These Gerhardt Hymns Gone?

I've mentioned previously that I am working (by way of the Gerhardt Hymn Project) to make available the hymns of Paul Gerhardt in English: for the sung confession of the faith in our own day, and for the consideration of the next Lutheran hymnal project that comes down the pike. Of Gerhardt's 130+ hymns, there are sixteen or so in the Lutheran Service Book, and twenty-something each in The Lutheran Hymnal and the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary. C.F.W. Walther's Kirchengesanbuch and Johannes Grabau's Gesangbuch each included forty-something Gerhardt hymns (in German, of course), which is proximately the number of his hymns to be found in some modern German hymnals (like that of the SELK). Aside from other disappointments with the ELCA's new Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the fact that it includes only nine Gerhardt hymns (generally reduced to a handful of stanzas) is sad.

Anyway, there are a lot of Gerhardt hymns that have never been translated into English. Hopefully the Gerhardt Project can help to remedy that situation. In the meantime, there are some 90 of his hymns that have previously been translated into English, though many of these have never been published in a regular sort of hymnal. Most of those translations were done in the 19th century, and many of them have not aged well; some of them lacked poetic eloquence to begin with, and the passing decades have not improved that situation.

Well, in searching for what's already "out there," in the way of English translations of Gerhardt's hymns, I've discovered that a fair number of them have appeared in various Lutheran hymnals, here and there. Not all of these were published in the most felicitous translation, and granted that not everything Paul Gerhardt wrote was necessarily a lasting treasure (I would still favor Gerhardt on his worst day over Twila Paris and a good many others, but that's just me, I guess). Nevertheless, it does make me wonder why these hymns have eluded some of us.

Considering only those Gerhardt hymns that have appeared in English Lutheran hymnals, the following twenty-three are missing, either in whole or in part, from the Lutheran Service Book. I'm not making this observation as a criticism of the LSB, but simply for the sake of calling attention to these hymns, and to ask whether some or all of them ought to be restored. I should say that, in some cases, it was probably wise to limit the number of stanzas included in the LSB, especially because that is likely to encourage more congregations to use them at all. But maybe there is a place where these hymns might be published in their entirety, for selective and careful usage in the life of the Church. I believe so.

The following list does not cite all of the other hymnals in which these hymns appear, but indicates some of the more significant and readily available occurrences.


ADVENT:

O Lord, How Shall I Meet You (LSB 334; 6 stanzas)
Wie soll ich dich empfangen? (10 stanzas)
ELHB 136 (10 st); TLH 58 (9 st.); ELH 94 (10 st); Ohio 18 (7 st.)


CHRISTMAS:

I Stand Beside Thy Manger Here
Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier (15 stanzas)
Australian 27 (4 st.); ELH 129 (5 st.); ALH 619 (3 st.)

We Sing, Immanuel, Thy Praise
Wir singen dir, Immanuel (20 stanzas)
ELHB 161 (20 st); TLH 108 (8 st.); Australian 28 (7 st.); ELH 152 (8 st.); ALH 331 (7 st.); Augustana 29 (5 st.)

Behold! Behold! What Wonders Here (Kelly)
Schaut, schaut, was ist für Wunder dar? (18 stanzas)
Ohio 25 (6 st.)

All My Heart Again Rejoices (LSB 360; 6 stanzas)
Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen (15 stanzas)
ELHB 145 (15 st); TLH 77 (15 st); ELH 115 (15 st); Ohio 27 (15 st)


NEW YEAR:

Now Let Us Come Before Him
Nun laßt uns gehn und treten (15 stanzas)
ELHB 174 (14 st); TLH 122 (12 st); Australian 553 (8 st.); LW 184 (6 st.); CW 74 (6 st.); Ohio 48 (8 st.)


PASSION:

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth (LSB 438; 4 stanzas)
Ein Lämmlein geht und trägt die Schuld (10 stanzas)
ELHB 191 (10 st); TLH 142 (6 st.); Australian 57 (6 st.); ELH 331 (10 st)

Upon the Cross Extended (LSB 453; 7 stanzas)
O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben (16 stanzas)
ELHB 205 (16 st); TLH 171 (12 st); Australian 58 (10 st); LW 120+121 (7 st.); ELH 304 (12 st)


PENTECOST:

O Thou Sweetest Source of Gladness
O du allersüß’ste Freude! (10 stanzas)
Australian 126 (5 st.); ELH 20 (3 st.); Augustana 155 (3 st.)

Oh, Enter, Lord, Thy Temple
Zeuch ein zu deinen Toren (13 stanzas)
ELHB 252 (13 st); TLH 228 (7 st.); Australian 130 (6 st.); ELH 400 (3 st.); ALH 468 (5 st.); Ohio 106 (5 st.); Augustana 311 (5 st.)


HOLY TRINITY:

The Mystery Hidden from the Eyes
Was alle Weisheit in der Welt (8 stanzas)
ELHB 264 (8 st.); ELH 405 (7 st.); Ohio 111 (8 st.)


END TIMES / ETERNAL LIFE:

A Pilgrim and a Stranger
Ich bin ein Gast auf Erden (14 stanzas)
TLH 586 (7 st.); Australian 480 (5 st.); ALH 319 (3 st.); Ohio 515 (3 st.)


MORNING:

My Soul, Awake and Tender (J. C. Jacobi)
Wach auf, mein Herz, und singe (10 stanzas)
ALH 635 (4 st.); Wartburg 41

The Golden Sun
~ Evening and Morning (LSB 726; 4 stanzas)
Die güldne Sonne (12 stanzas)
Australian 524 (5 st.)


MARRIAGE:

Oh Jesus Christ! How Bright and Fair (Kelly)
Wie schön ists doch, Herr Jesu Christ (8 stanzas)
Ohio 339 (5 st.)


CROSS & COMFORT:

Let Not Such a Though E’er Pain Thee (Kelly)
Weg, mein Herz, mit den Gedanken (12 stanzas)
ELHB 506 (12 st)

Entrust Your Days and Burdens (LSB 754; 6 stanzas)
Befiehl du deine Wege (12 stanzas)
ELHB 525 (12 st); TLH 520 (12 st); ELH 208 (12 st); ALH 269+270 (4/4 st)

Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me (LSB 756; 5 stanzas)
Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen (12 stanzas)
ELHB 501 (12 st); TLH 523 (8 st.); Australian 413 (6 st.); ELH 377 (8 st.)


THANKS & PRAISE:

Go Forth, My Heart, and Seek Delight
Geh aus mein Herz und suche Freud (15 stanzas)
ALH 645 (6 st.); Australian Supplement 808–809

All Ye Who on This Earth do Dwell
Nun danket all und bringet Ehr (9 stanzas)
TLH 581 (7 st.); Australian 438 (7 st.); ELH 52 (7 st.)

I Will Sing My Maker’s Praises (LSB electronic edition; 5 stanzas)
Sollt ich meinem Gott nicht singen? (12 stanzas)
ELHB 65 (12 st); TLH 25 (6 st.); ELH 448 (6 st.)

O Lord, I Sing with Lips and Heart
~ Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing (LSB 737; 7 stanzas)
Ich singe dir mit Herz und Mund (18 stanzas)
ELHB 292 (18 st); TLH 569 (9 st.); TLH ~ 535 (9 st.); Australian 560 (8 st.); ALH 495 (6 st.); Ohio 364 (6 st.)


PSALM 1:

Blessed Is the Man
Wohl dem Menschen, der nicht wandelt (4 stanzas)
ELH 457 (4 st.)