Unveiled in Eden

It started with this quote from online friend, Bob Holmes:

Do you worship God under
the veil of your soul,
or do you worship unveiled,
spirit to Spirit,
center to center?

I was hit up the side of the spiritual head by it. What a wondrous insight. What a scary challenge.

I thought of Adam and Eve cowering in fear as they knew they were unveiled in Eden.

I thought of those moments of my own fear when I stood in the presence of my Lord and God and realized how poor and powerless I am by myself. Unveiled in my own garden of good and evil.

I could only describe it as being spirit naked.
I can no longer hide behind
my soul or
my humanness or
my sinfulness or
my imperfection.

All those melt away in the cleansing light of
God's Spirit meeting my spirit.

I am
Meeting God,
no longer veiled by my soul, but
spirit to Spirit.

Naked
Open and free

Running on empty, seeking, yet
nowhere to run
averting my eyes,
peeking
like a child on Christmas.

Open and vulnerable
in need of
Grace.

Hymns That Move Me (Week 8)

This is the eighth in my series looking at thirty amazing hymns and songs of the Christian faith. I made three lists, one of my top 10 from the Moravian Church's tradition, one of my top 10 of the great classic hymns, and a top 10 of more "Gospel-type" hymns and songs. I am doing it alphabetically to be fair to all the songs. I hope you are both inspired by these words and learn a little about my own denomination's rich musical heritage.

When choosing videos to accompany the hymns I try to choose ones that best capture the spirit of the song as it has been important to me. I try to stick to the traditional and best known tunes in the case where alternate tunes might be used.

Moravian Hymns

The Savior's Blood and Righteousness- Nicholas von Zinzendorf (1739) Zinzendorf insisted that the truest language for heart religion is song.... For Zinzendorf and the Brüdergemeine... the truths of the Christian religion are best communicated in poetry and song, not in systematic theology and polemics. (Craig Atwood, Zinzendorf.com) "The Savior’s Blood and Righteousness” is perhaps “the one hymn most representative of his theology.” The count wrote the 33 stanzas of this hymn in 1739 on his voyage home after visiting Moravian mission work in the West Indies. (Christianity Today)  (He had gone to the islands to boost the position of the missionaries there who were not welcomed by the landowners since the aim of the mission work was the slaves. He later traveled to Pennsylvania and helped establish Bethlehem on Christmas 1741.) Theology was not, for Zinzendorf or the 18th Century Moravians an academic pursuit. It was the language of the heart. Again and again the mystical language of union with God in Jesus through the Spirit comes through. The Savior’s blood and righteousness My beauty is, my glorious dress; Thus well arrayed, I need not fear, When in His presence I appear. The holy, spotless, Lamb of God, Who freely gave His life and blood For all my numerous sins to atone, I for my Lord and Savior own. Therefore my Savior’s blood and death Are here the substance of my faith; And shall remain, when I’m called hence, My only hope and confidence. Lord Jesus Christ, all praise to Thee, That Thou didst deign a man to be, And for each soul which Thou hast made Hast an eternal ransom paid. This hymn, in the original German and in alternative translations can be found in a number of different denominational hymnals. I could not find a version in either English or German that used the same tune as the American hymnals. Here is one, in German, however, with a more contemporary tone. If you know German, you can see the way translations can vary.

Great Hymns of the Church

Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand- Henry Alford (1867) Henry Alford (1810 – 1871) was an English churchman, theologian, textual critic, scholar, poet, hymnodist, and writer. (Link)  Among his best known hymns are "Come, Ye Thankful People Come" and "Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand." This hymn, according to Hymnary.com is found in over 380 hymnals. It is, for me, one of the truly great hymns of the church. It's language and message reminds us of what is often called the "Church Triumphant," i.e. those who have died and gone on to the immediate presence of our Lord. The joy and wonder of the hymn almost jump off the page. The first time I remember hearing it was at a memorial service held at the 1974 Moravian Northern Provincial Synod in Bethlehem. The service was to remember the pastors who had died in the four years since the previous Synod. It was just about ten years since my father had died when I was 16 and nearly thirteen years since my mother had died. We came to what was then the 3rd verse and I was overwhelmed by the words and sentiment. Here- from the 1969 hymnal: O then what raptured greetings On Canaan's happy shore; What knitting severed friendships up, Where partings are no more! Then eyes with joy shall sparkle, That brimmed with tears of late; Orphans no longer fatherless, Nor widows desolate. I could not sing the last verse. I was moved in ways I have never forgotten. Read the words as words of incredible praise and wonder at the grace of God! Sadly, in the revision made for the more recent Moravian Book of Worship, the original words were changed to: no orphans left without a home, nor mourners desolate. While I appreciate and support the desire to be inclusive, personally I am glad those were not the words in 1974. One more reason for sadness, this time for every other denomination who uses this hymn. No one else has the same tune that is in the Moravian hymnal. The tune, Eastham, is only found in our hymnal.  At the 1976 Moravian Music Festival in Bethlehem, band director, Jeffrey Reynolds, then principal trombone of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, commented that the Eastham tune paired with this hymn may be the single best example of perfect melding of words and music. I agree. I wish others could have experienced this amazing hymn the way we have in the Moravian Church.  Ten thousand times ten thousand in sparkling raiment bright, the armies of the ransomed saints throng up the steeps of light! 'Tis finished, all is finished, their fight with death and sin. Fling open wide the golden gates and let the victors in! What rush of halleluias fills all the earth and sky! What ringing of a thousand harps bespeaks the triumph nigh! O day, for which creation and all its tribes were made! O joy, for all its former woes a thousand fold repaid! O then what raptured greetings on Canaan's happy shore; what knitting severed friendships up, where partings are no more! Then eyes with joy shall sparkle that brimmed with tears of late, no orphans left without a home, nor mourners desolate. Bring near your great salvation, O Lamb for sinners slain; fill up the roll of your elect, then take your pow'r and reign! Appear, Desire of nations, your exiles long for home; show in the heav'n your promised sign; then, Prince and Savior, come. Needless to say, I could not find a video of the hymn with this tune. So I made one using a recording from the Moravian Music Foundation. Most of the pictures are from God's Acre in Bethlehem, two are from Berea/Our Savior's Churches Easter Dawn, and two are from Costa Rica. It is the more recent revision of the words, but it captures the majesty and wonder in all its fullness. I never tire of this hymn!

Gospel-type Hymns and Songs

Precious Lord, Take My Hand- Thomas A. Dorsey (1938) Thomas Andrew Dorsey (1899 – 1993) was known as "the father of black gospel music" and was at one time so closely associated with the field that songs written in the new style were sometimes known as "dorseys". Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom. (Not the big band leader!) As formulated by Dorsey, gospel music combines Christian praise with the rhythms of jazz and the blues. His conception also deviates from what had been, to that time, standard hymnal practice by referring explicitly to the self and its relation to faith and God, rather than the individual subsumed into the group via belief. Dorsey wrote "Precious Lord" in response to his inconsolable bereavement at the death of his wife, Nettie Harper, in childbirth, and his infant son in August 1932. This video begins with Dorsey giving his testimony about its composition. Truly a powerful witness in word and song!

Hymns That Move Me (Week 6)

This is the sixth in my series looking at thirty amazing hymns and songs of the Christian faith. I made three lists, one of my top 10 from the Moravian Church's tradition, one of my top 10 of the great classic hymns, and a top 10 of more "Gospel-type" hymns and songs. I am doing it alphabetically to be fair to all the songs. I hope you are both inspired by these words and learn a little about my own denomination's rich musical heritage.

When choosing videos to accompany the hymns I try to choose ones that best capture the spirit of the song as it has been important to me. I try to stick to the traditional and best known tunes in the case where alternate tunes might be used.

Moravian Hymns

Morning Star-Johannes Scheffler (1657); F. F. Hagen (1836) Morning Star, is a popular American Moravian Church carol with text originating as a poem by Johannes Scheffler in 1657, to music composed by Francis F. Hagen from Salem in 1836.  That's what Wikipedia tells me. Scheffler, as far as  I know, was born a Lutheran Protestant around 1624 in Silesia (Poland). As he became more mystical in his theology his life within the Lutheran Church became more tense and difficult. He converted to Roman Catholicism in 1653. He was a poet whose poetry clearly fell into the mystical, pietistic within an ortodox Catholic framework. Morning Star clearly fits into that theology. (There does seem to be that connection with most of these Moravian hymns. Mystical connections are very much a part of them!) Francis Florentine Hagen (1815–1907) was a Moravian minister and composer. He was born in Salem, North Carolina, on October 30, 1815. He grew up in Salem before attending the Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1835. Hagen served various congregations in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa and New York before retiring from the ministry in 1877. As a composer, his musical style reflected his Moravian roots combined with elements of 19th century Romantic music. He composed large scale orchestral and vocal works in addition to solo voice and piano pieces. He died in Lititz, Pennsylvania, on July 7, 1907. -Wikipedia The Christmas Encyclopedia tells us: At some point in the service, it is customary for a child to sing two lines of the Moravian hymn “Morning Star,” whereupon the congregation antiphonally repeats these lines, and all sing the final line in unison. That happens in the best of all possible worlds, of course. Many congregations have a group of children sing or use the choir as the soloist. The tune generally starts relatively quietly and builds through the verses ending with the joy of the birth of the Christ Child. It may be one of the most moving moments in Moravian worship, transcending even the often overly romanticized music and sound. It moves one into the mystical depths that Scheffler would have understood. It is also a connection with some of the deeper roots of our Moravian theology and history. Solo: Morning Star, O cheering sight! Ere thou cam'st, how dark earth's night! Congregation: Morning Star, O cheering sight! Ere thou cam'st, how dark earth's night! S: Jesus mine, C: in me shine; S: in me shine, C: Jesus mine; All: fill my heart with light divine. S: Morning Star, thy glory bright far excels the sun's clear light. C: Morning Star, thy glory bright far excels the sun's clear light. S: Jesus be, C: constantly, S: Constantly, C: Jesus be All: More than thousand suns to me. S: Thy glad beams, thou Morning Star, cheer the nations near and far. C: Thy glad beams, thou Morning Star, cheer the nations near and far. S: Thee we own, C: Lord alone, S: Lord alone, C: thee we own, All: Our dear Savior, God's dear Son. S: Morning Star, my soul's true light, tarry not, dispel my night. C: Morning Star, my soul's true light, tarry not, dispel my night. S: Jesus mine, C: in me shine; S: in me shine, C: Jesus mine; All: Fill my heart with light divine.

Great Hymns of the Church

It Is Well With My Soul-Horacio Spafford (1873); Philip Bliss. It is not a surprise that this hymn has survived as one of the truly great hymns of the church. Many of the powerful hymns come from personal experiences of either great joy or great sorrow. Spafford wrote this after a series of traumatic disasters in his own life. The first was the death of his son at the age of 2 and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died. -Wikipedia When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul. Refrain: It is well, (it is well), With my soul, (with my soul) It is well, it is well, with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.

Gospel-type Hymns and Songs

Just a Closer Walk- Anonymous The precise author of A Closer Walk is unknown. Circumstantial evidence strongly suggests it dates back to southern African-American churches of the nineteenth century, possibly even prior to the Civil War, as some personal African American histories recall "slaves singing as they worked in the fields a song about walking by the Lord's side." ... Just a Closer Walk with Thee became better known nationally in the 1930s when African-American churches held huge musical conventions. The first known recording was by the Selah Jubilee Singers on October 8, 1941, New York City. Rosetta Tharpe also recorded the song on December 2, 1941 -Link The wide range of artists who have recorded the song points to its ability to reach into each of us in our own unique ways. It is one of the standards of jazz funerals and has a special place in Dixieland and jazz music. The ongoing presence of Jesus in one's life is the ultimate sense of hope, no matter what. In that it is in the same rich tradition as It is Well With My Soul. I am weak, but Thou art strong, Jesus, keep me from all wrong, I’ll be satisfied as long As I walk, let me walk close to Thee. Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. Through this world of toil and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. When my feeble life is o’er, Time for me will be no more, Guide me gently, safely o’er To Thy kingdom's shore, to Thy shore. (Note: Stay for the "Second Line" after the applause.  It's a different song but you will see how a New Orleans Jazz funeral puts it all together!)

Note: I have received a couple comments on this series asking me to come up with another thirty songs. I am considering it, after all there are so many hymns and songs - and so little time!

Calendar of Saints: Hildegard of Bingen (2)

Twice a week I post a quote from saints from the Episcopal Calendar of Saints that week. They are to be meditative and mindful, playful and thought inducing. I hope they are helpful in your spiritual journeys.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
Visionary
September 17

Hildegard travelled throughout southern Germany and into Switzerland and as far as Paris, preaching. Her sermons deeply moved the hearers, and she was asked to provide written copies. In the last year of her life, she was briefly in trouble because she provided Christian burial for a young man who had been excommunicated. Her defense was that he had repented on his deathbed, and received the sacraments. Her convent was subjected to an interdict, but she protested eloquently, and the interdict was revoked. She died on 17 September 1179.

Her surviving works include more than a hundred letters to emperors and popes, bishops, nuns, and nobility.... She wrote 72 songs including a play set to music.

She left us about seventy poems and nine books. Two of them are books of medical and pharmaceutical advice, dealing with the workings of the human body and the properties of various herbs. (These books are based on her observations and those of others, not on her visions.) ...She also wrote a commentary on the Gospels and another on the Athanasian Creed.

But her major works are three books on theology: Scivias ("Know the paths!"), Liber Vitae Meritorum (on ethics), and De Operatione Dei. They deal (or at least the first and third do) with the material of her visions. The visions, as she describes them, are often enigmatic but deeply moving, and many who have studied them believe that they have learned something from the visions that is not easily put into words.

Hildegard wrote and spoke extensively about social justice, about freeing the downtrodden, about the duty of seeing to it that every human being, made in the image of God, has the opportunity to develop and use the talents that God has given him, and to realize his God-given potential. This strikes a chord today.

Hildegard wrote explicitly about the natural world as God's creation, charged through and through with His beauty and His energy; entrusted to our care, to be used by us for our benefit, but not to be mangled or destroyed.

-Link

Calendar of Saints: Hildegard of Bingen (1)

Twice a week I post a quote from saints from the Episcopal Calendar of Saints that week. They are to be meditative and mindful, playful and thought inducing. I hope they are helpful in your spiritual journeys.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
Visionary
September 17

Hildegard of Bingen has been called by her admirers "one of the most important figures in the history of the Middle Ages," and "the greatest woman of her time." Her time was the 1100's (she was born in 1098), the century of Eleanor of Aquitaine, of Peter Abelard and Bernard of Clairvaux, of the rise of the great universities and the building of Chartres cathedral.

She was the daughter of a knight, and when she was eight years old she went to the Benedictine monastery at Mount St Disibode to be educated. The monastery was in the Celtic tradition, and housed both men and women (in separate quarters). When Hildegard was eighteen, she became a nun. Twenty years later, she was made the head of the female community at the monastery.

Within the next four years, she had a series of visions, and devoted the ten years from 1140 to 1150 to writing them down, describing them (this included drawing pictures of what she had seen), and commenting on their interpretation and significance. During this period, Pope Eugenius III sent a commission to inquire into her work. The commission found her teaching orthodox and her insights authentic, and reported so to the Pope, who sent her a letter of approval.

-Link

Calendar of Saints: Evelyn Underhill (2)

Twice a week I post a quote from a saint from the Episcopal Calendar of Saints that week. They are to be meditative and mindful, playful and thought inducing. I hope they are helpful in your spiritual journeys.

Evelyn Underhill
Theologian and Mystic
June 15

Miss Underhill (Mrs. Hubert Stuart Moore) taught that the life of contemplative prayer is not just for monks and nuns, but can be the life of any Christian who is willing to undertake it. She also taught that modern psychological theory, far from being a threat to contemplation, can fruitfully be used to enhance it. In her later years, she spent a great deal of time as a lecturer and retreat director. She died on June 15, 1941.

--Link

Calendar of Saints: Evelyn Underhill (1)

Twice a week I post a quote from a saint from the Episcopal Calendar of Saints that week. They are to be meditative and mindful, playful and thought inducing. I hope they are helpful in your spiritual journeys.

Evelyn Underhill
Theologian and Mystic
June 15

To go up alone into the mountains and come back as an ambassador to the world, has ever been the method of humanity's best friends.

Evelyn Underhill was born in 1875 and grew up in London. Her friends included Laurence Housman (poet and brother of the poet A E Housman) and Sarah Bernhardt (actress), and Baron Friedrich von Huegel, a writer on theology and mysticism. Largely under his guidance, she embarked on a life of reading, writing, meditation, and prayer. From her studies and experience she produced a series of books on contemplative prayer.

--Link