O Little Town of Bethlehem, Lucy Adams, Hymn Story

Bethlehem -courtesy pixabay.com

                                                   

 O Little Town of Bethlehem

a hymn story from Lucy Neeley Adams

The thoughts going through the mind of Rev. Phillips Brooks were filled with awe as he visited Jerusalem many years ago.  It was Christmas and he was sure that it was a Holy Land. His visit there was a never to be forgotten experience. Hearing about Bethlehem was not the same as being a part of it. Reading about the birth of Jesus was not the same as worshipping in the Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve.  

His thoughts became heart-warming memories when he returned to Philadelphia and his pastorate at Holy Trinity church.  When he needed a new song of Christmas the following year, he reached back for inspiration to that Holy Land visit.  The poem he wrote painted in words, the sights and sounds of the wonderful little town he had visited years earlier.  

What came from his pen was a Christmas carol that has lived to become a world-wide favorite, "O Little Town of Bethlehem." The first words identified that glorious visit to the place of holiness he had visited.

" O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie.

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by."

 When he finished the carol, he asked the church organist and Sunday school superintendent, Lewis Redner, to compose a simple melody for the children to sing on Christmas Eve.  Mr. Redner began work to find just the right tune to carry the descriptive words.

But nothing seemed quite perfect, and already it was the eve of Christmas Eve.  But during a fretful sleep, he heard music.  He immediately got out of bed and wrote down the melody just as we sing it today. “I think it was a gift from heaven", Mr. Redner joyfully admitted.

Composer, Phillips Brooks was born in Boston, Mass., in 1825 and educated at Harvard.  He was a beloved and respected evangelist.

After serving as a minister in Episcopal churches in Philadelphia and Boston, he was appointed bishop of that area.

This giant of a man, who stood 6 ft. 6 inches, also had a big heart that endeared him to old and young alike.  There were toys in his office for the many children who visited him.  It was a familiar sight to see the beloved bishop sitting with a group of children on the floor as they played a game.

He never married but other people's children became family to him. When he died unexpectedly in 1893, at the age of 58, his extended family was overwhelmed with grief.

It was a child who put his death in perspective.  When told by her mother that Bishop Brooks had gone to heaven, she replied with a loving smile, "Oh Mama, how happy the angels will be."

The closing verse of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" expresses Phillips Brooks' greatest desire which was to share God's love:

"O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray.

Cast out our sin and enter in, Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels, The great glad tidings tell.

O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel."

Lucy Neeley Adams

December  2019

www.52hymns.com

Peg here: As I usually try to do when Lucy is my guest, I look for an appropriate video to share. As Lucy knows, and by now many of you are aware, too. The Gaither Vocal Band is my "go-to" resource for wonderful gospel music. So, please take a few moments and sit back and enjoy O Little Town of Bethlehem. Vocalists are (L-R): Todd Suttles, Reggie Smith, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, and Bill Gaither.

Spirit of the Living God ~ Lucy Adams ~ Pentecost

Image by Peggy Blann Phifer

Spirit of the Living God, a Hymn Story Devotional from Lucy Adams

     Reading God's Word can be a blessing when we are spiritually fed with His revelations.  In John 16:16 one of the most essential parts of the Christian faith guides us.  But when Jesus spoke these words, the disciples were confused:  "A little while and you will no longer see me and again in a  

little while, you will see me."  But we are thankful to understand His message as we continue to read in Acts 1:8 and following, about the coming of the 

Holy Spirit at Pentecost. 

Pentecost Dove from Pixabay.com

    
The glory of God's presence has also been captured in a short hymn of praise and thanksgiving.  It is a short and simple hymn but very powerful, as we sing in expectation:         

             "Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.  Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me." 

    The composer, Daniel Iverson was born in Brunswick, Georgia, on  September 26, 1890.  When he was called into the ministry, he was ordained into

the Presbyterian denomination in 1914 and started his own church which was named Shenandoah Presbyterian Church in Miami, Fla.  After many years of preaching and teaching, he retired in 1962 and moved to Asheville, NC. where he continued his ministry and died in 1982.

    When this hymn was written, Rev. Iverson was attending an evangelistic crusade in 1926 lead by the George Stephens Team of Orlando.  He was  

inspired by the scripture from Acts 11:15 which  reads, "The Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning."  With these thoughts, his heart was stirred for his own rebirth and renewal.

     As soon as the morning service ended, he went alone to the nearby First Presbyterian church.  And with the great teaching still fresh in his ears and heart, he sat at the piano and prayed.  Soon he began to express in music, his desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God.  The words and music came quickly as he simply asked God to melt him, mold him, fill him and use him in ministry, forever.

    The song leader for the Stephens Team was touched by the deep meaning of the simple hymn.  It was taught to the congregation that evening and was sung throughout the revival.

    As we read Acts 1:8, we see that Jesus told his disciples to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.  This was essential in order for those dejected disciples to shout out the good news of the Risen Christ.  "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. And you will be my 

witnesses in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth."

    Praise God!  After more than 2,000 years, Christians continue to ask for the power of God's Holy Spirit.  And with this simple but profound hymn, we can joyfully sing:  "Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me."

             Lucy Adams     (May 2019)

www.52hymns.com

What is the meaning of the day of Pentecost? The Christian holy day of Pentecost, which is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31).

Casting All Your Cares . . .

      God Will Take Care Of You           

a Hymn Story devotion from Lucy Adams

   The title of this song story is heartwarming as many parents go through the experience of saying good-bye to their school children for the day. In their hearts, I am sure many are leaning on their faith with a similar message, "Have a good day at school. I'll be praying that God will take care of you."

  Many years ago there was a little boy who spoke a similar message to his father.   When he heard him speak to his mother in a voice of concern.  "But dear, I must stay here with you, since you are sick."

  Dr. Stillman Martin and his wife, Civilla, were a great evangelistic team that took their ministry throughout the United States in the late 1800's. When he preached, she led the singing. But on this particular Sunday in 1904, it would be different.  When their son overheard the conversation between his parents, he entered the room and said, "Father, don't you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you are away"?

  That question gave fresh insight into the promises of God.  Of course, he could trust God to care for this beloved wife while he was gone. So he kept his appointment at the church that day. And when he returned home he had good news about the people who accepted Jesus as their Savior after his sermon.  Civilla also had good news.  She felt much better and had been inspired to write a very special poem on that very special day. The three verses were the result of their son's question that morning.

  Dr. Martin, who was touched by its loving message of God's protective care, sat at their small reed organ and put it to music.  Soon his beautiful melody carried this message of hope:

      Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you.  

      Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

  The following year, the joyful hymn was published in the hymnal, "Songs of Redemption and Praise."  Their musical gifts and Christian commitment led them to write many more gospel songs together.  One of the most well-known is, "His Eye Is On the Sparrow."

They moved to Atlanta, Ga. in 1919 and continued their ministry throughout the Southeast.  Dr. Martin died in 1935 and she in 1948.

   It is written in I Peter 5:7 , "—casting all your care upon God for He cares for you."

A little boy's innocent question embedded that truth in the hearts of his parents many years ago. 

Praise God that we can continue to sing those comforting words: "God Will Take Care of You." 

Peg here: I have a little surprise for you ... and Lucy. I found a video of the Oak Ridge Boys singing this hymn. Sit back and enjoy.

        Lucy Adams    52hymns.com    

Lucy Neeley Adams, author of “52 Hymn Story Devotions,” claims there is nothing original in her recently published book.

“I haven’t written a thing that hasn’t already been said somewhere, except for the personal illustrations about what a hymn meant to me,” she says humbly.

But researching the beginnings of some of the most popular hymns through the ages, condensing the story and then adding a poignant “personal touch” has been a popular concept. It has taken Adams on a journey from a music ministry within the Methodist churches where her husband has pastored to a radio personality, then a newspaper columnist and finally to writing a book.

A Hymn Story for Easter ♦ Lucy Adams

‘The Old Rugged Cross’ is a Beautiful Blessing

by Lucy Adams

How could it ever be a blessing to think of Jesus, the perfect son of God, being sent to the cross? His twelve disciples, in those early days of walking with him, saw no blessings in such an event.

In the Gospel of Matthew we read, “From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders, chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21)

The last few words — “and on the third day, be raised” — are the source of our great joy as we study this passage during these days of Lent. As we look toward Easter, we know the ending from the beginning, praise God!

That experience was the turning point in the life of composer George Bennard. Born in 1873 in Youngstown, Ohio, he was a young man who had some difficulties in his life.

But when he attended a stirring revival, he wrote in his journal, “After a very trying experience in my soul, I have discovered a loving kinship with Christ's sufferings.” Even though the details of this experience are not known, the results are the hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.”

As he prayed and searched the Scriptures, a theme was born. But before he even wrote the words, the lilting melody was composed in his heart. Then the words seemed to fall on each note as he wrote of new insights about the crucifixion of Jesus.

This became George Bennard's testimony in music. The manuscript was sent to the famous hymn writer, Charles Gabriel, whose immediate reply was, “We will certainly hear from this song.”

It proved to be a prophetic statement.  Soon it was the most widely published song, sacred or secular, in America.♦Regardless of our doctrinal differences, we can all lift our voices in song and renew our love to the one who died for all on that cross of Calvary:

“So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross / ‘Til my trophies at last I lay down. / I will cling to the old rugged cross / And exchange it someday for a crown.”

Bennard and his wife joined the Salvation Army. He was always grateful for their input into his life during his great conversion experience. They served there for several years. Then he was ordained into the Methodist Episcopal Church and became a traveling evangelist.

At Albion College in Albion, Michigan, a 12-foot cross was erected to honor this beautiful hymn and the composer who was a beloved graduate of the college. He died on Oct. 9, 1958, when he was 85-years old and exchanged the “old rugged cross for a crown.”

♦ ♦ ♦

Many thanks to my dear friend Lucy Adams, for this beautiful Hymn Story devotion. To add to Lucy's offering, I found a special video to go along with it.

This was filmed live at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, Israel, featuring members of the Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming Family. I hope you will find it as much of a blessing as I did. Make sure the volume on your speakers is turned up.

Lucy Adams is the author of “52 Hymn Story Devotions.”

Learn more about Lucy and her book at: https://www.52hymns.com/

Thanksgiving Hymn Story ♦ Lucy Adams

 Once again, I'm thrilled to bring you another of Lucy Adams' Hymn Stories especially for today.  Enjoy!

 Come Ye Thankful People Come

by Lucy Adams

What messages were we speaking when we were 16 years old?  Maybe a lot of silly talk and probably not what a young boy, named Henry, wrote in the front of his Bible:

      "I do this day, in the presence of God and my own soul, renew my covenant with God and solemnly determine henceforth to become His, and to do His work as far as in me lies."

Henry Alford was born in London, England on October 7, 1810.  He was nurtured by Christian parents and greatly influenced by a grandfather and a father who were Anglican clergyman.  Their example before him, apparently led to his personal commitment to Jesus Christ.

Upon graduation from Trinity College, Cambridge, he began his lifelong ministry as theologian, poet and musician.

Dr. Alford was eventually appointed as dean of Canterbury Cathedral, known as the "mother-church of England".

His death in 1871 at the age of 61 left a void in the hearts of many people whom God had touched through his ministry.  But the world was left with one of the most memorable hymns of thanksgiving.  It was written to celebrate the times of harvest festival in the English countryside.  It is an invitation to join the festivities in loving response to a faithful God:

        "Come ye, thankful people, come.  Raise the song of harvest home.  All is safely gathered in er'e the winter storms begin."

The following two stanzas summarize the parable that Jesus tells about the wheat and tares in Matthew 13 .  The hymn closes with a prayer of anticipation about "our final harvest home" which is heaven!

After it was first published in 1844, it appeared later in the Anglican church hymnal to be sung to a tune composed by the organist, George Elvey, in the royal chapel of Windsor Castle.  It is the one we still use today.

Henry Alford fulfilled  his commitment to his Lord, as he lived out the promise he made at age 16.  His life was a testimony to that promise and this one song is a tribute to that life.

Praise God that we can also  joyfully  read in Psalm 100: "Make a joyful noise to the Lord" and we are free to "enter His gates with thanksgiving!"

Lucy N. Adams

http://www.52hymns.com/ 

Below is a YouTube video of the choir and congregation of (I assume, according to the caption) St. Georges's Cathedral at Windsor. The lyrics are provided so you can sing along.