O Perfect Love

I had not intended to write a post on for valentine's day; but as everyone else is writing about it, I wondered, why not?  So here I am, whether I like it or not!
   When I think of the time of year, when men endeavor to show their affection towards their wives or sweethearts, I also remember how perfect is God's love towards us. He does not forget, nor need a special day set apart to remind Him of his love towards us; indeed Christ is the perfect lover, the dreamed of hero! His love alone is perfect when all else falls short and disappoints.
  So today I would share with you one of my favorite songs relating to this subject, "O Perfect Love"!

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in prayer before Thy throne,
That theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
Whom Thou forevermore dost join in one.

O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance,
Of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust that fears nor pain nor death.

Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
And to life’s day the glorious unknown morrow
That dawns upon eternal love and life.

Hear us, O Father, gracious and forgiving,
Through Jesus Christ, Thy coeternal Word,
Who, with the Holy Ghost, by all things living
Now and to endless ages art adored.

I actually didn't know the fourth verse existed until I looked up this song. But it is extremely good as are the others! For lack of time to state the history of this hymn in my own words, I will copy an excerpt written by the author herself (Dorothy F. Gurney) on the writing of the Lyrics.
     " It was Sunday ev­en­ing [at Pull Wyke, Win­der­mere, Eng­land] and we were en­joy­ing a time of hymn sing­ing. A song that was par­ti­cu­lar­ly en­joyed by all of us was O Strength and Stay, the tune to which was a fav­o­rite of my sis­ter. As we fin­ished sing­ing this hymn, some­one re­marked, ‘What a pi­ty the words of this beau­ti­ful song should be un­suit­a­ble for a wed­ding!’ My sis­ter turned to me and chal­lenged, ‘What is the use of a sis­ter who com­pos­es po­et­ry if she can­not write new words to a fa­vo­rite tune? I would like to use the tune at my wed­ding.’ I picked up a hymn­book and said, ‘If no one will dis­turb me, I will go into the lib­ra­ry and see what I can do.’ With­in 15 min­utes I was back with the group and read­ing the words I had jot­ted down. The writ­ing of the words was no ef­fort what­ev­er af­ter the in­i­tial idea came to me of the two­fold aspect of per­fect un­ion, love and life. I feel that God helped me write this song."
   The tune was written by Joseph Barnby for the wedding of Princess Louise of Wales.
Below is the best video I could find!

Happy Valentine's day! May God's love satisfy your heart's deepest longings, as only He can do.

A Miracle of Grace

John Newton was not "supposed" to be saved! In His teens he never did show any signs of a repentant heart.  He was even too bad to be accepted among the wickedest of those in society. If you had met him before he was saved, all you might have wanted to do was get away from him, you might have tried to witness to him, but he probably would have cursed you, swore, perhaps, and maybe even cursed God; after all he'd tried for a short time to be religious to gain the affection of his beloved Mary, but she had seen right through him and had refused him. Perhaps, though, even her memory may have kept him from doing anything any worse to you! However you probably wouldn't have prayed for him, you may have secretly hoped he'd go to hell and most likely try to forget the whole situation hoping you'd never see that horrible young man again.
  But then it happens that about twenty five years later or so, you step into a crowded church in the little town of Olney to hear a popular preacher(you didn't happen to catch his name) speak to the now crowded congregation. "What a sermon!" you marvel as he concludes his message, "what passion, what eloquence of the grace of God, what compassion he has for his flock. Surely he must have studied the Scriptures from His youth in order to be so knowledgeable about them. Perhaps he was saved at the age of six or seven for him to love God so!"
 You nudge a fellow congregant and ask him what the man's name is, "he ought to come and preach at my church at every church, he ought to..." your thoughts come to an abrupt halt as your fellow whispers his name, "JOHN NEWTON!" in disbelief you repeat your question and receive the same answer.
 With perfect amazement your gaze returns to the short, somewhat plump, figure in the pulpit; with the name a whole load of horrid memories come rushing into your head, and with disgust you rise to sing the closing hymn which your all too eager pew mate informs you was written by that very same blasphemer-turned-curate. All your brain is in a whirl, "how is it possible for him to be saved? Must be a hypocrite!" you reason with yourself; and you determine not to sing his song whatever others think, "Probably all pious and holy about how good he is and all!" you think scornfully.
 The organ begins to play, the people begin to sing and you receive yet another surprise.
      Amazing Grace How sweet the sound,
      That saved a wretch like me!
You have to concede this point, it would indeed be amazing grace that could save that God forsaken man - and then you realize in flash that that was what happened, and immediately it all becomes clear! It was indeed amazing grace, nothing else could have changed this person into what he is, and you attend more carefully to the rest of the verse: I once was lost, but now am found,
                                                 Twas blind but now I see.
You nod your head without thinking, that is exactly what he was and now is, he was blind and lost when you saw him, but now he is found and seeing too!
         You cannot resist any longer, but with gusto plunge into the rest of the song, realizing that the best change that could have happened to a man just did!
   
.......Well alright, perhaps you wouldn't have thought through things quite that way, but that is how I imagine it. We all know 'Amazing Grace' , we all think of Newton as this amazing man, devoutly Christian and yet how many of us have really comprehended what this meant to Newton and all those who knew him at his worst? Oh, of course we know he was bad and all that, "but he was saved,Amazing Grace, right? So let's forget about it!" No, really, let's think about it. Do you know any nasty young men? Or women? not just unbelievers, but that really, bad, scary kind that just will make you run a mad hide and seek game through the grocery store to keep from being seen by him if you happened to see him first?  Not necessarily because he is going to do anything to you, but you just know how he's going to snigger at "the God freak" and start talking about how religion is so stupid and how your God is such a nasty person he wants to give him a whipping and all such horrible things. Now just imagine this young man being a pastor, just imagine his face glowing with passion as he speaks of the mercies of God, just imagine his eyes overflowing with tender compassion as he ministers to his flock, just imagine...... that is Amazing Grace!

 I want to share with you the original six verses which Newton actually wrote; far better than the four we commonly sing now, especially the last which he didn't even write.
 His own are so much better!

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
 
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believ'd!
 
Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
 
The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
 
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
 
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call'd me here below,
Will be forever mine.

May all you who read this, experience His Amazing Grace towards wretched sinners such as you and I and John Newton!

Another Year For Him

As The year draws to a close. I think back with thankfulness of all the ways the good Lord has blessed my life; through the thoughtful council of friends, the unexpected opportunities to learn new things, the meeting of new friends, the opportunities to bless others and see the power of God overflow out of my life into theirs.
Truly it has been a blessed year; another year of serving Christ.
  Below I will list some of the things I did and learned this year:
1. God answers the prayers of those who believe on Him.(you laugh, and I know I should have known this already but this was the first year I really trusted in His power. And consequently saw amazing results!)
2. Made my bed ever morning. (I know, even worse! ;) )
3. Learned to skate.
4. Learned to ride a bicycle.
5. Learned to ride a horse.
6. Learned to swim. (Yes, I really am seventeen!)
7. Did the above three in a skirt, modestly, something my sisters dared  I couldn't do!
8. Learned over Twenty new hymns. (don't ask me to list them all!)
9. Wrote my first song, lyrics and tune! (Don't ask to hear it!)
10. Started publishing video's on you-tube.

I did a lot of other things too. But these are the things that I can remember. Can I be anything but thankful when I think of all these blessings? Besides all of the wonderful things we do all the time and take for granted. So I have posted this lovely song in honor of the passing year may we think on it before we think on all the things we didn't get done or the sins we still struggle with or the bad things which happened to us; and give thanks!

              

And for an old folk song traditionally sung on New years day; Auld Lang Syne!
     

   

And Last, but not least, to remember the year ahead of us; Another year is dawning. (Unfortunately this was the best video I could get.)
    

May We All Live This Next Year For Christ!

On The Twelfth day of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me......

....Vivaldi's Gloria.
 Finally on the last day, a grand finale as it were, I want to share this beautiful classical Christmas piece with you. When I say Classical Christmas music, most, I believe, think of Handel's Messiah.
 But everyone knows about Messiah; not so this one. I didn't even know until a few weeks ago that my mother had actually played violin and sung tenor in this piece when her high school performed the entire piece. That was exciting to learn.
 This is sung entirely by women; even those low parts which sound like they are sung by men!
There are twelve parts, all sung in Latin. I have posted them below with their English Translations.
 I know this is a long piece but please do make some time to listen to this before Christmas, you will not be dissapointed. It is absolutely magnificant! There will be a pause between each movement so you will be able to tell the breaks. Notice the words: Starting with the angel's praise to God when they visited the Shepards, it goes through quoting passages of Scripture about Christ.
                Have a God Honoring Christmas whether you celebrate it or not!
 And may "god bless us, every one!"
                                          

Gloria in excelsis Deo / Glory to God in the Highest

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis / And peace on earth to men of good will

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, / We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee

Gratias agimus tibi  / We thank Thee

Propter magnam gloriam  / Because of Thy great glory

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens / Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe / Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris  / Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram  / Who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, misere nobis/ Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, to solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe / For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only art the most high, Jesus Christ

Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris, Amen / With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father, Amen.

- See more at: http://www.compassclassroom.com/beautiful-christmas-music-is-in-latin-vivaldis-gloria/?utm_source=Compass+Classroom&utm_campaign=f4c00bbf43-VL_March_20133_5_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a8c4cee6a5-f4c00bbf43-268870521#sthash.GVNMi2c9.dpuf

     

1·  Gloria in excelsis Deo / Glory to God in the Highest

2·  Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis / And peace on earth to men of good will

3·  Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, / We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee

4·  Gratias agimus tibi  / We thank Thee

5·  Propter magnam gloriam  / Because of Thy great glory

6·  Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens / Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty

7·  Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe / Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ

8·  Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris  / Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father

9·  Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram  / Who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer

10·  Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, misere nobis/ Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us

11·  Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, to solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe / For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only art the most high, Jesus Christ

12·  Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris, Amen / With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father, Amen.

      

Gloria in excelsis Deo / Glory to God in the Highest

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis / And peace on earth to men of good will

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, / We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee

Gratias agimus tibi  / We thank Thee

Propter magnam gloriam  / Because of Thy great glory

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens / Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe / Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris  / Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram  / Who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, misere nobis/ Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, to solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe / For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only art the most high, Jesus Christ

Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris, Amen / With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father, Amen.

- See more at: http://www.compassclassroom.com/beautiful-christmas-music-is-in-latin-vivaldis-gloria/?utm_source=Compass+Classroom&utm_campaign=f4c00bbf43-VL_March_20133_5_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a8c4cee6a5-f4c00bbf43-268870521#sthash.GVNMi2c9.dpuf

 

Gloria in excelsis Deo / Glory to God in the Highest

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis / And peace on earth to men of good will

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, / We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee

Gratias agimus tibi  / We thank Thee

Propter magnam gloriam  / Because of Thy great glory

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens / Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe / Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris  / Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram  / Who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, misere nobis/ Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, to solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe / For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only art the most high, Jesus Christ

Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris, Amen / With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father, Amen.

- See more at: http://www.compassclassroom.com/beautiful-christmas-music-is-in-latin-vivaldis-gloria/?utm_source=Compass+Classroom&utm_campaign=f4c00bbf43-VL_March_20133_5_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a8c4cee6a5-f4c00bbf43-268870521#sthash.GVNMi2c9.dpuf

Gloria in excelsis Deo / Glory to God in the Highest

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis / And peace on earth to men of good will

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, / We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee

Gratias agimus tibi  / We thank Thee

Propter magnam gloriam  / Because of Thy great glory

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens / Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe / Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris  / Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram  / Who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, misere nobis/ Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, to solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe / For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only art the most high, Jesus Christ

Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris, Amen / With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father, Amen.

- See more at: http://www.compassclassroom.com/beautiful-christmas-music-is-in-latin-vivaldis-gloria/?utm_source=Compass+Classroom&utm_campaign=f4c00bbf43-VL_March_20133_5_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a8c4cee6a5-f4c00bbf43-268870521#sthash.GVNMi2c9.dpuf

Gloria in excelsis Deo / Glory to God in the Highest

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis / And peace on earth to men of good will

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, / We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee

Gratias agimus tibi  / We thank Thee

Propter magnam gloriam  / Because of Thy great glory

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens / Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe / Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris  / Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram  / Who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, misere nobis/ Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, to solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe / For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only art the most high, Jesus Christ

Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris, Amen / With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father, Amen.

- See more at: http://www.compassclassroom.com/beautiful-christmas-music-is-in-latin-vivaldis-gloria/?utm_source=Compass+Classroom&utm_campaign=f4c00bbf43-VL_March_20133_5_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a8c4cee6a5-f4c00bbf43-268870521#sthash.GVNMi2c9.dpuf

Gloria in excelsis Deo / Glory to God in the Highest

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis / And peace on earth to men of good will

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, / We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee

Gratias agimus tibi  / We thank Thee

Propter magnam gloriam  / Because of Thy great glory

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens / Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe / Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris  / Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram  / Who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, misere nobis/ Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, to solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe / For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only art the most high, Jesus Christ

Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris, Amen / With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father, Amen.

- See more at: http://www.compassclassroom.com/beautiful-christmas-music-is-in-latin-vivaldis-gloria/?utm_source=Compass+Classroom&utm_campaign=f4c00bbf43-VL_March_20133_5_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a8c4cee6a5-f4c00bbf43-268870521#sthash.GVNMi2c9.d

Gloria in excelsis Deo / Glory to God in the Highest

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis / And peace on earth to men of good will

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, / We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee

Gratias agimus tibi  / We thank Thee

Propter magnam gloriam  / Because of Thy great glory

Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens / Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father almighty

Domine, Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe / Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ

Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris  / Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father

Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram  / Who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, misere nobis/ Who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us

Quoniam tu solus sanctus, tu solus Dominus, to solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe / For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only art the most high, Jesus Christ

Cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris, Amen / With the Holy Ghost, in the glory of God the Father, Amen.

- See more at: http://www.compassclassroom.com/beautiful-christmas-music-is-in-latin-vivaldis-gloria/?utm_source=Compass+Classroom&utm_campaign=f4c00bbf43-VL_March_20133_5_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a8c4cee6a5-f4c00bbf43-268870521#sthash.GVNMi2c9.dpuf

On The Eleventh day of Christmas, My true Love Gave to Me.....

.....The Coventry Carol.
Unlike most Christmas carols, this is a mournful one. It speaks of the sorrows of the Christmas season. When Herod, fearing the birth of another king, sent and slaughtered all the male children in Bethlehem. Now perhaps if Herod had known a little more about this king, he may have known that it would do absolutely no good as we know now. Nevertheless. It did fulfill a prophesy from Isaiah, "A voice was heard in Rahmah, of weeping and great lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be comforted because they were no more."
  When we think of Christ coming to earth let us also remember what He came to earth to do. To become sin! To take on all the guilt of sin as heinous as Herod's horrifying massacre. Let us remember that no sin is too great that God's grace cannot cover it. Let us remember that though Herod would generally be considered more wicked than you or I for the executing of those innocent lives, apart from the Grace of Christ and His redemption of Mankind, ALL of us would be just as bad and perhaps commit crimes much more horrific.
Finally as we hear this song, let us pray for those who even now are killing millions of innocent lives behind a curtain of lies and thank God for coming to earth to save just such people.
    Enjoy this moving fifteenth century song; sorrowful yet beautiful.
                                        

Lully, lullay, Thou little tiny Child,

Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Lullay, thou little tiny Child,

Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

O sisters too, how may we do,

For to preserve this day

This poor youngling for whom we do sing

Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

Herod, the king, in his raging,

Charged he hath this day

His men of might, in his own sight,

All young children to slay.

That woe is me, poor Child for Thee!

And ever mourn and sigh,

For thy parting neither say nor sing,

Bye, bye, lully, lullay.

On The Tenth Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me.....

.......Good Christian Men Rejoice/In Dulci Jubilo.
The words to this song were written in the 1850's but the melody dates back to the fourteenth century! It is said to have made even the most pious of men dance for joy when they heard it sung; but that is simply legend.
  The tune was first set to a Latin poem called  "In Dulci Jubilo" (In Sweet Rejoicing) but is now more commonly known in America as the song, "Good Christian Men Rejoice".  Written by John M. Neale.
  Enjoy the song, This video was the best I could get that didn't have an advertisement before but had both songs!  Have a wonderful Lord's day.
                    

Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul, and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born today;
Ox and ass before Him bow; and He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened the heavenly door, and man is blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all, to gain His everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!

On The Ninth Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me....

......Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne.
 I grew up with this beautiful Christmas hymn and assumed that most everyone else knew it too until we started singing it last year in Choir and our instructor asked who already knew the song, me and my siblings  were the only ones who raised our hands! I was surprised, however it alerted me to a fact, more people need to hear this hymn!
 It was written in the eighteen hundreds by Emily Elliott and Timothy Mathews (My Brother Timothy called it the Timothy and Elliot song and reserved it as a special song for himself and his then little brother Elliot!) And contains five verses arranged in prayer form. 
                 Indeed, may God someday call to us and assure us that there is room by His side for us, what a glorious moment that will surely be!
                     

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.

Refrain

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.

Refrain

The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.

Refrain

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.

Refrain

When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.