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What is your favorite hymn?
One of the oldest memories I have is of a hymn that still resonates vividly with me: How Can I Keep From Singing?It's the hymn my father used to sing as he returned home from church after the early morning prayer at 4:30 AM, his footsteps breaking the silence of dawn. The faint sound of my father's hymn at dawn refreshed my soul, and even now, whenever I hear or sing that song, the same emotion is conveyed to me. My father's hymn singing offered me not just nostalgic memories but precious spiritual solace and deep nourishment for my soul. The hymns I learned from Sunday School continue to touch my heart as time passes. Such emotions give the hymns special meaning for me, and every time I sing them, those moments come alive anew.
Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs enable us to participate more deeply in the harmonious life of God. We Methodists have a huge and rich heritage of hymns and spiritual songs from our founding fathers, John and Charles Wesley. They wrote more than 9,000 hymns and poems. "Almost every Methodist gathering began and ended with a hymn…From the recorded experience of itinerant preachers to the diaries of the faithful, hymns are used for expression, consolation, anticipation, and interpretation. Methodists absorbed their faith through the words of their hymns and sacred verse." (David Hempton)
During every day of Lent, we are going to meditate on the melodies and the lyrics of hymns. Hymns are our confessions, psalms, and prayers to God. I believe that spending 40 days singing, praying, and meditating on hymns will not only purify our souls but also draw us closer to God.
Reflection: O for a Thousand Tongues (UM Hymnal #57 1,3,5)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx0rCabJ16c
O for a thousand tongues to sing, my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease,
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.
To God all glory, praise, and love be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above, the Church in earth and heaven.
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