The Lord is my Light

Last week when I turned one of my calendars over to June, the verse that greeted me was Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Coincidentally, or not, I had just heard Frances Allitsen's great setting of this psalm at the women's conference I attended. It was sung during Sunday morning worship by baritone, Peter McGillivray, and I've been singing it in my head periodically ever since. I first heard this piece during my college days and have accompanied a couple vocalists singing it over the years. In fact, when I stop to think of it, I don't know of another setting of these words! Does this overshadow all the others? Or have composers after Allitsen's time (1848-1912) not even tried to write something more compelling? Or (more likely) there are other versions in less formal styles.

This got me thinking about why I find this piece so powerful.

1. One reason is that the words are scripture. My Dad always encouraged me to listen to the words; are they sound theologically? do they contain mindless repetition? do they speak to me?
2. The music rises and falls with the text. The joyous arpeggios underpinning "The Lord is my light..." give way to a martial feel when we hear "Though a host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid..." The quiet chords under "For in the time of trouble, He shall hide me in His tabernacle..." sound to me like waves lapping on the shore - a comforting sound.
3. Could it be a physical connection to the piece because I've played the accompaniment? I have felt the strength required to land those notes in the right place and because of that I respond when I hear the piece.

No matter the reason, I enjoyed hearing McGillivray's interpretation and, judging by the response, I was not the only one. Also, because I've been on the bench at the piano for this one, let me add that his accompanist was no slouch either!

The Father's glory

This morning at St. Andrew's our final hymn was "Shine, Jesus, Shine" which is also known by its first line, "Lord, the light of Your love is shining". I enjoy this hymn! It was written by Graham Kendrick and bears the copyright year of 1987 but still feels 'new' to me. I fear that says more about me (and my age?) than the hymn!

Do you ever go on 'auto-pilot' when you sing in church? I know I do. I'm looking at the hymn, and usually playing, and often singing but I'm not necessarily paying attention to the words and what I am singing about. The words of the refrain of this hymn are a prayer. I was paying attention today, and praying as I sang, and then the thought occurred to me: what would it mean for our land to be filled with the Father's glory? Would it mean that all is done to glorify God? Would that mean God's Kingdom has come here on earth? How can I (or you) help to bring that about? Does it mean sharing the good news (gospel) with those around us?

A few questions which I hope have made you think...

Merry Christmas!

The Christ candle burns bright and clear; we celebrate the birth of the Baby whose life continues to change the world! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Prepare the Way - Advent 4

I can think of no better day to post about the Light of the world, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, than on the shortest day of the year. Take heart, my friend, we have almost come to the end of our waiting for the celebration of His coming! Today, in Winnipeg where I live, the sun rose at 8:24 a.m. and set at 4:29 p.m. I am quite happy to know that the days will now get longer again.

It is common to reserve the image of light in carols to those used around Epiphany. For example, We Three Kings - "guide us to Thy perfect light." Or, Break forth, O beauteous heavenly light. However, we also have Silent Night - "Son of God, love's pure light" and O come, all ye faithful - "God of God, Light of light, born unto Mary, the virgin blest". Let us rejoice, not just on the day with the least amount of daylight, but every day of the year that we can trust the Light of all lights to guide us on our way!

Prepare the Way - Advent 2

The darkness of December deepens; the light of Advent grows! There is so much wonderful music for this time of year that it was difficult to choose what to include in Sunday evening's concert program. Due to time constraints, this piece was not included.

Of the Father's Love Begotten

Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega
He the Source, the Ending He
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore.

O ye heights of heaven, adore Him!
Angel-hosts, His praises sing!
Powers, dominions, bow before Him,
And extol your God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring.
Evermore and evermore.

Words by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius
- based on the Latin hymn Corde Natus ex Parentis
Music derived from 13th Century Plainsong

The Latin hymn on which these words are based was written in the early Fifth Century by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius whose professions include being a lawyer, head bodyguard to a Roman Emperor and, later in life, a monk. These are only 2 of 10 English verses translated first by John Mason Neale and later revised by Henry W. Baker, both in the 1800's. The 13th Century plainsong melody is hauntingly beautiful and creates just the right mystical atmosphere of awe as we try to put into words the divine mystery of Christ's coming to earth.

Northern Lights - Part 2

I mentioned in Part 1 how difficult it can be to see the Northern lights when the sky is cloudy or there is too much light from the city. This brought to mind I Corinthians 13:12 - "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (KJV) The first part of the verse seems especially relevant. I often remind myself that there are so many things which will be revealed to us later - things which puzzle or confuse us, things that don't seem to make sense in this life. (Sometimes I also wonder if any of those questions will matter in eternity...) No matter how much we think we can understand God and what is required of us, the more there is to learn and see in the Christian life. Like the Northern lights in the city, there is more to God's glorious presence which will be revealed to us when the clouds part and Christ returns.

(This is not my photo and must have been taken away from the city lights to see such definitive streaks of colour, not to mention the stars as well.)

Northern Lights - Part 1

The Northern lights were out last night, sweeping their green and glorious path across the cloudy sky. As I checked the windows before heading to bed, I looked out 'just to see' - Are the Northern lights out tonight? It's been awhile since I've seen them, and living in the city as I do, it isn't all that easy to catch a glimpse of that amazing sight. They truly are awesome (ie., they inspire awe) to me and serve to remind me what an almighty God I serve. His creativity is beyond comprehension!

Sometimes, the Northern lights are more ribbon like and can be seen as one long, flowing line as you look northward. Last night they were swirling all around the midnight sky. Imagine mixing melted chocolate into cake batter or the swirls in marble paper and you will have a good idea what it looked like. I have seen them this way only once before that I can recall and that was about 25 years ago and 2 hours away from city lights. The sight was even more magnificent!

All this led me to wonder if there are any hymns which mention the Northern lights. I couldn't think of any, but a quick search brought two results. The first is verse 2 of a hymnal version of the lyrics for O Canada, written by Albert D. Watson.

Almighty Love, by Thy mysterious power,
In wisdom guide, with faith and freedom dower;
Be ours a nation evermore
That no oppression blights,
Where justice rules from shore to shore,
From lakes to northern lights.
May love alone for wrong atone;

Refrain:

Lord of the lands, make Canada Thine own:
Lord of the lands, make Canada Thine own!

The second result brought lyrics by Catherine MacLean, copyright 2008 by The United Church of Canada. You can read them here.

Making Candles = Epiphany?

All of last week seemed to fly by and I missed posting something for Epiphany. (I thought about it, but that was about as far as I got.) To begin writing today, I thought I'd look up the Oxford Dictionary definition of the word 'epiphany' - and I was a little surprised at what I found:

"Epiphany = manifestation of Christ to the Magi, festival of this (6 Jan.); (epiphany) manifestation of a supernatural being."

What surprised me was what wasn't there - no mention of 'having an epiphany' or of 'epiphany moments' or any of those expressions we sometimes hear. That got me thinking; what do we mean when we use those phrases in common speech? The way I've used them, or heard others use them, is to mean that I've had an 'aha' moment. The light has dawned! I understand! To the Magi this revelation of Christ was much more than an 'aha' moment. Their realization of who Christ was and their dream afterward was a life changing experience which even made them alter their route home to avoid telling Herod what they had discovered.

By now perhaps you are wondering how all this connects to candle making. I usually make candles before Christmas, sometimes for gifts. I couldn't let the (extended) season go by without making any, so I began a couple days ago. Somehow it seems appropriate to be creating a source of light when we are celebrating that the light has dawned -the Light of God's love, Jesus.