Handbells · Hymns · Mathematics
This is a confusing time. The global health crisis has sparked fear and concern around the world. How can our faith provide comfort? For me it is meaningful to remember God’s promise to be with us always. God created us, formed us and now sustains us. Jesus, the savior of the world, assures us “I … Read more
July 17 is #WorldEmojiDay! As a celebration of these whimsical icons, we’ve translated five well-known hymns into emojis. Can you identify each hymn? Comment below with your own emoji hymns! 1 👁️👁️, 😇❤️ 🤷, 💾✝️ 💭, 🌅🌃 ⏰😴, 😇💡 2 💪 🏰 👑, 🚢 ❌ 🆘 🌊, ⚰️🤒 😈 😔, ✂️ 🔌 💪 😡, 🌎 … Read more
In a previous post I complained about how some traditional hymnody conflates American patriotism with Christian freedom. For example, the militaristic language in “Faith of Our Fathers,” is often interpreted as a defense of American freedom. As a response, I’ve crafted a new text that celebrates women called “Faith of Our Mothers.” Here’s the story … Read more
The German hymn “Beim frühen Morgenlicht” (Katholisches Gesanglruch, 1828) appears in English translation as early as 1843 in a children’s hymnal published by the still-extant Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. While the original text contains 14 stanzas, Edward Caswell’s translation contains just six, which form the basis for renderings of “When Morning Gilds the Skies” … Read more
In hymnody, “There is a Happy Land” might be considered a one-hit wonder. While unknown to most modern church-goers, the hymn one of the most popular nineteenth century hymns in American and British Sunday schools. School teacher Andrew Young (1807-1889) wrote “The Happy Land” in 1838. Young was a teacher and then a headmaster … Read more