Category Archives: Hymn Study

When most people think about Christmas music, they seldom think about Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).  But this greatest of all church musicians has given us a large amount of wonderful music to celebrate the Savior’s birth.  These include not only … Continue reading →

Of all the Christmas songs in print, here’s what one writer has called “the most underrated.”   It was included in the 1990 “Trinity Hymnal,” when the editor found it in a paperback InterVarsity Christian Fellowship songbook.  He had heard it … Continue reading →

If one looks for “contemporary” Christian Christmas songs, there will be a number listed in a web search.  The problem for many folks is that they usually don’t “sound” like Christmas!  We have grown up hearing and singing beautiful traditional … Continue reading →

Many of the traditional dimensions of our Christmas celebrations come from the Victorian era in England.  We picture light Christmas snow falling on carolers as they sing their way through London’s streets on the way to a candle-lit Christmas Eve … Continue reading →

The hope-filled anticipation of Jesus’ coming is one of the great sources of joy that dominates the Christian’s faith and worship.  While we struggle to endure with patience the hardships of this life, we have the sure promise of God … Continue reading →

The Christian faith includes vast treasures of profound theological truths, from the deep mysteries of the incarnation to the incomprehensible dimensions of the relationships of the three persons of the Holy Trinity. And yet at its heart is a very … Continue reading →

This current year of 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (AD 325), called by Emperor Constantine to address the division brought about by the Arian controversy.  This council, one of the so-called Seven Ecumenical Councils … Continue reading →

In our Thanksgiving services over the years, one of the hymns we always sang was “We Gather Together to ask the Lord’s Blessing.”   In fact, to this day for some of us, singing it brings back pleasant memories of the … Continue reading →

Endurance is one of the qualities that should mark the life of every Christian, but is one of the most difficult qualities to maintain, especially in challenging times.  Such is the case when believers come under attack for their faith, … Continue reading →

Everyone knows that 1 Corinthians 13 is “the love chapter.”  It’s a favorite Scripture reading for wedding ceremonies, especially in the 17th century language of the 1611 King James Version of the Bible, which called this love “charity” (which today … Continue reading →