Each year, I listen to a daily audio Bible podcast—and complete the Bible in one year. This year marks my sixth year through the Bible.
Why don’t I stop?
Every year, I learn new aspects of the Bible because each year, I am in a different place in my life, and the Holy Spirit speaks to me where I am.
The Bible is always fresh! It is always alive!
It is the only book that has a Living Spirit within it.
Each year, when I get to Judges in the Old Testament, I say, “Oh boy!” because I know what is ahead.
Passover begins this evening.
It is one of the most significant Jewish Holidays, commemorating when the angels of God “passed over” the Hebrews as the firstborn children and animals of the Egyptians were killed—all because Pharoah would not set the Hebrews free as God commanded.
With this final plague on Egypt, Pharoah agreed to free the Hebrews so they might begin their journey to the promised land.
God instructed the Jews to commemorate the first Passover, when they had marked their houses with blood, alerting the angels to “pass over” their homes.
Christians draw parallels in their faith,
This week, I was listening to a minister on the radio who noted that in the days after His resurrection, Jesus did not appear to Pilate to tell him that he had been wrong in ordering His crucifixion.
Jesus did not appear to the Jewish leaders and chastise them for not believing and demanding His death.
He did not appear to the Roman soldiers who nailed Him on the cross.
Why?
Today, I was drinking in the beautiful hymns of Psalm Sunday. They are majestic, powerful, and inspirational!
Among my very favorites is All Glory, Laud and Honor. When I close my eyes and listen to the lyrics, I can feel all the emotions I imagine those present at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. The hope. The joy. The expectation.
As Christians, we carry the hope, joy, and expectation at our Lord’s second coming. Feel this excitement. Play this song and sing along. It is a wonderful way to enter into the spirit of Holy Week.
What are some of your favorite Holy Week Hymns/ song?
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is one of the oldest existing Christmas carols. It dates back to the 1500s and earlier. This English carol has undergone many changes over the years.
In the 15th Century, church music was typically sung in Latin and was dark and rather somber. Consequentially, most church goers did not like the religious songs of the period. So, the faithful counteracted this tone by singing more uplifting songs in the streets.
The Story Behind ‘Silent Night’
The lyrics to Silent Night were written by Josef Mohr. He was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1791. The name “Mohr” was unloved in his home town of Salzburg. Mohr was one of three illegitimate sons born to Anna Schoiberin, while his father, Franz, was a mercenary soldier who eventually abandoned the family. To make matters worse, Josef’s godfather was the town executioner.
Perhaps due to his mother’s poverty, the curate of the local Catholic cathedral took Josef in as a foster child. Josef had a natural gift for music
Regarded by many as the greatest preacher America has produced, Phillips Brooks was born in Boston and educated at Harvard. He then prepared for ministry at Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.
Brooks was rector of Holy Trinity in Philadelphia from 1859 through 1869. His parishioners in August of 1865, sent him abroad for a year. His travels took him through Europe and in December to the Holy Land. The itinerary included a horseback ride from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve.
As promised in my last blog and podcast, I am going to spend the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas focusing on beloved Christmas songs and hymns.
One of the most beloved Christmas hymns is “O Holy Night.” The verses were composed by French Poet and wine merchant Placide Cappeau in 1843, after he was asked by his parish priest to write a poem for the Christmas Eve service.
I recently heard a message Dr. John Piper gave at the Sing! Global 2021 Conference. He so clearly outlined the purpose singing plays in our walk with God, that I wanted to share my notes on his message with you in preparation for the next six weeks, between Thanksgiving and the new year, when I will focus on some of this Holy Season’s most treasured songs.
Dr. Piper began his message by stating that human language does not suffice as an expression of the greatest realities of the universe, adding that the realities of the Christian faith are so glorious that they will never be adequately expressed by spoken language alone. They must be sung.
