Wednesday, December 19, 2007

# 3—GOD GAVE TO US THIS DAY OF DAYS

As you can read in the foreword to the Hymnary Augment, our present Book of Praise is, surprisingly, a little thin on Easter hymns. Four have been added by way of the Augment. # 3, which we will be singing this morning, is an English version of a 1500 year old hymn celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has given the church something to sing about. Jesus lives! He died and was buried, but He arose. As He emerged from the dark grave, He freed us from the gloomy darkness of sin and death and brought us back to light and life. Alleluia!

The tune was written by the Lutheran school teacher, organist and hymn writer, Nicolaus Herman. Many of Herman's melodies show clear affinities with folk music. This particular tune has a very pleasant swing to it. We will be singing it before the service this morning.

Sources: Psalter Hymnal Handbook; Internet.

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