For a few weeks now, Christians have been journeying through Lent. This season of reflection and penitence mirrors 2 Biblical events - the wandering of God's people through the wilderness (40 years) and Christ's 40 day fast in the wilderness. In the first example, God's leading is obvious in hindsight. The people had the cloud by day and the fire by night to show them where to go. I'm guessing I would have been among the complainers had I actually been there, wandering around for 40 years! In the second example, Christ shows us the importance of scripture in our battles with temptation. We can rely on God's word to give us the guidance we need to persevere in our Christian walk.
The anthem the choir sang last Sunday has been running through my thoughts all week, and has become a prayer for me. Part of the piece is by Samuel S. Wesley (1810-1876) and I quote it for you here:
Lead me, Lord, lead me in your righteousness;
Make your way plain before my face,
For it is you, and you, God only,
Who makes me to dwell in safety.
Words based on Psalm 4:8 and Psalm 5:8
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
What are you giving up for Lent?
We are now in the season of the church year known as Lent. I find this the most difficult season to understand and it occurred to me yesterday that that is the reason why I have not been eager to post. What to say? How does Lent translate into my life, or the musical life of the church?
There is one more or less obvious answer, musically speaking, to the question which is the title of this post. When we hear, "What are you giving up for Lent?" often the response is something like: sugar, chocolate, coffee, etc. As a church musician, my response is, "I'm giving up Alleluias for Lent." The word 'alleluia' (from Greek) or 'hallelujah' (from Hebrew) literally means 'praise Yahweh'. Some say that the angels in heaven use alleluia as their refrain of praise around God's throne. Maybe a reader can think of scripture that backs this up. In a way, it's the ultimate word of praise and as such is considered inappropriate during Lent, a season of reflection and penitence.
I think there are other good reasons to refrain from singing alleluia for a few weeks. It is good spiritual discipline. Denial is part of our Christian walk. When we 'do without' for awhile, we appreciate all the more when Easter morning comes, and we can again sing out with great joy, "Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!"
There is one more or less obvious answer, musically speaking, to the question which is the title of this post. When we hear, "What are you giving up for Lent?" often the response is something like: sugar, chocolate, coffee, etc. As a church musician, my response is, "I'm giving up Alleluias for Lent." The word 'alleluia' (from Greek) or 'hallelujah' (from Hebrew) literally means 'praise Yahweh'. Some say that the angels in heaven use alleluia as their refrain of praise around God's throne. Maybe a reader can think of scripture that backs this up. In a way, it's the ultimate word of praise and as such is considered inappropriate during Lent, a season of reflection and penitence.
I think there are other good reasons to refrain from singing alleluia for a few weeks. It is good spiritual discipline. Denial is part of our Christian walk. When we 'do without' for awhile, we appreciate all the more when Easter morning comes, and we can again sing out with great joy, "Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)