Sing we of Christ, His coming we proclaim. King of all Lords, Immanuel His name. God is with us. The Promised now is here. Jesus is born and with Him death of fear.
Into a world so cold and dark with sin, this Christmas God appears in human skin. Truth fills His frame and grace His every word. “Winter is gone!” the angels song is heard.
Sing then their song with glad hearts warm and full. Christ knows our lot of misery and woe. Fin’lly there’s One who understands and cares. Glory to God! Let earth sound her fanfare.
People arise, accept this Christ today. Wrapped in God’s love, He gives Himself away. Not as a baby does He come this time. But as our Lord, a man yet God divine.
We’ve been blessed to be a blessing! We’ve been saved to serve the Lord! We’ve been qualified for service given gifts God’s grace affords. In our labor and our leisure, there is something we can do to restore the church’s purpose and her ministries renew.
We’ve been made alive to listen to the whispers of despair. God has given us the courage to speak up and show we care. We’ve been pardoned to be partners with the Holy One who made everyone to serve His purpose so His glory is displayed.
We’ve been healed to help the hurting as they grieve for ones who’ve gone, as they try to find the means to stay the course and carry on. We’ve been called to be a family, to achieve what God intends as we play the part assigned us mending fences, making friends.
** These lyrics can be sung to the tune “Ode to Joy” *** This calligraphy and poem is part of Greg’s new book “My Rhymes and Reasons” illustrated by Timothy R. Botts
In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe at My Rhymes and Reasons on YouTube.
One of the most popular Thanksgiving hymns is Come Ye Thankful People Come
“Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go…”
That timeless children’s song celebrates Lydia Maria Child’s childhood memories of visiting her grandfather’s house. Curiously, the original version refers to grandfather’s house (not grandmother’s).
Although the Christmas season is replete with carols and holiday songs, “Over the River” was the only Thanksgiving song I remember singing in school. Fortunately, there were songs that we sang in church that compensated for what was lacking in the classroom.
I love Thanksgiving hymns like “Come We Thankful People Come,” “We Gather Together to Ask the Lord’s Blessing” and “For the Beauty of the Earth.” There is just something about the lyrics to songs like “Now Thank We All Our God” and “All Creatures of Our God and King” that tune our hearts to sing God’s praise.
For me Thanksgiving is defined by feasting on turkey and all the trimmings including Gulliver’s creamed corn (a traditional family favorite) and my wife’s homemade pumpkin pie. It also includes the sharing of personal expressions of gratitude around the table before enjoying football.
All the same no Thanksgiving would be complete without borrowing language from folks like Martin Rinkart, Folliott Pierpoint, Fanny Crosby, Johnson Oatman and St. Francis of Assisi in order to voice my gratitude to God. The hymns of thanks we sing in church on the Sunday not only call us to worship, they remind us what Thanksgiving is all about.
Forty-five years ago, when I became a pastor in a denomination with Scandinavian roots, I discovered a Thanksgiving hymn I’d not sung in my youth. The melody was quite enchanting, but the words were what captured my heart. They were refreshingly candid. They spoke of pain and problems in the midst of a life of filled with blessings. Rather than ignoring hardship and heartache, the poet acknowledge suffering as part of the human experience.
Two of the stanzas read as follows…
Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered. Thanks for what Thou dost deny! Thanks for storms that I have weathered. Thanks for all Thou dost supply! Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure. Thanks for comfort in despair! Thanks for grace that none can measure. Thanks for love beyond compare!
Thanks for roses by the wayside. Thanks for thorns their stems contain! Thanks for home and thanks for fireside. Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain! Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow. Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee! Thanks for hope in the tomorrow. Thanks through all eternity!
Upon doing a little research I learned that “Thanks to God for My Redeemer” (“Tack O Gud”) was originally published in Swedish in 1891. It was written by August Storm, a member of the Stockholm Salvation Army.
In addition, I discovered there was a logical reason why the poet referenced life’s setbacks and disappointments in his hymn of thanksgiving. August Storm’s life, like his name suggests, was beset by the unexpected and undesired just like a late summer deluge. Tragically, he suffered a serious back injury that left him crippled for much of his adulthood. Having experienced suffering and pain as a person of faith, he incorporated these realities in his hymn text.
The hymn was introduced to the American church through Swedish immigrants settled in the States near the turn of the twentieth century. As they experienced the hardships of adjusting to a new country, they clung to songs of their faith and heritage. Especially words that recognized problems as part of the faith journey.
As I come to this Thanksgiving week, I find myself counting my blessings. I am grateful for hymns that help me vocalize my gratitude to God for His goodness. But I am also grateful for challenges life deals me that help me see the faithfulness of God more clearly. And with that in mind, I’m grateful for the words written a long time ago by a man I never met.
In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s channel.
The storms of life have birthed many beloved hymns
From heartache to a timeless hymn, from agony to praise, the pain of sorrow fills the poet’s pen. Both It Is Well and Day by Day were birthed in tragedy as was the treasured lyric What a Friend.
Amazing Grace came from the depths of Captain Newton’s heart that once had been enslaved by hate and greed. And Andrae Crouch’s Through it All was rooted in despair as he cried out to God and voiced his need.
Ironically, so many hymns that draw us near to God began as wordless groans and whispered sighs. And yet songwriters filled with faith and singed by suffering’s flame have given us God’s truth both sweet and wise.
In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s channel.
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice!Psalm 118:24
Come Sunday we will sing God’s praise with old hymns sung in newer ways. But truth be told there are more days than one that’s called the Lord’s.
He claims them all and we should too. Each day God speaks to me and you. And in the psalms, we find a clue that calls us to rejoice!
This is the day the Lord has made… And though our feelings, glow and fade, we lift our voices unafraid and worship here and now!
In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s channel.
My Rhymes and Reasons 