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.

A Mighty Fortress is Our God ~ Hymn Story ~ Lucy Neeley Adams

                               A MIGHTY FORTRESS                               

a Hymn Story by

Lucy Neely Adams

  There was no war, but it was definitely a conflict in Wittenburg, Germany on October 31, 1517.  A Catholic priest posted a list of complaints against his church and nailed them to the front door.  

   That expression of anguish in the heart of the priest–Martin Luther–brought about the greatest upheaval in the Christian faith since the beginnings of the Christian movement. Much conflict arose between those who wanted change and those who did not.  So, it was a blessing that a very sympathetic friend led him to hide in the safety of a castle.

     It was there that Luther reaffirmed the protection and comfort of a mighty God.  Within his temporary hiding place, the words of Psalm 46 came alive and were overwhelming.  We also feast on those words from our Bible:  "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

     During those days of solitude, prayer and Bible study, Luther began to translate the Scripture into the German language.  He said, "All people must be able to read God's word for themselves."

     Likewise, he believed that church music was for all to sing.  He also believed that "the devil, who is the originator of sorrowful anxieties and restless troubles, flees before the sound of God's music almost as much as before the Word of God".

     With that inspiration, he composed the hymn,  A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD.  It begins with a bold affirmation of a powerful and loving God:   

  

  " A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.    Our helper, He amid the flood, of mortal ills prevailing."

      When Luther returned to face his critics, he was armed with renewed determination.  He would not recant his protests against the Catholic church.  So, after a struggle for several years with officials in Rome, he was excommunicated in 1520.

     However, this great Christian leader did not lose heart.  He continued teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ until his death in 1546 at the age of 63.  He lived in the town of his birth, Eisleben, Saxony, Germany.  His majestic hymn, A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD, was sung at his funeral and the first line is engraved on his tombstone.

     For more than 500 years it has been sung by millions of Christians around the world.  During these days of fall festivals and fun activities, we are also encouraged that our Christian faith is strong because our Lord is strong and a loving fortress.  Other words in the great hymn remind us that "we do not need to confide in our own strength but in Christ Jesus who is the same from age to age."  Also, we rejoice because "God's truth abideth still and His Kingdom is forever."  

Lucy Neeley Adams     

October 2019

More Love to Thee ~ Lucy Neeley Adams ~ Hymn Story

MORE LOVE TO THEE

a Hymn Story from

Lucy Neeley Adams

 

 Please re-welcome Lucy Neeley Adams ... one of my favorite people whom I've never met but still consider a good friend. Lucy researches into the background stories of old, beloved hymns and writes them up into articles for local newspapers in towns where she's lived.

She has also compiled 52 of these wonderful hymn stories into a little book called 52 Hymn Story Devotions. Lucy has graciously shared many of these--and others not in the book--with me for you to enjoy--over the past years since I've been blogging. If memory serves, that's about 12 years now

So without more jabbering from me, here's Lucy!

Stepping Heavenward 

A little faded green book with ragged edges has a prominent place on my bookshelf. STEPPING HEAVENWARD was published in 1899 and it sold thousands of copies.

The reason it is so special to me is that it was a gift to my father when he was young. He wrote his name on the inside cover in pencil: Wadsworth Neeley, 1909, Lexington, S.C. Long ago, when I was going through some treasures of the past at our home, he told me why it was special. The book had belonged to his mother, who gave it to him before she died.

The author, Elizabeth P Prentiss was born in Portland, Maine, on October 26, 1818. To study her life is to identify with regular day to day routines. Her loving family relationships were filled with joys and sorrows that expressed her growing Christian faith.

Elizabeth was described as a "very bright-eyed little woman with a keen sense of humor, who cared more to shine in her own happy household than in a wide circle of society."

One of the many ways she expressed her faith was in poetry. She often drew on Scripture as the basis for the words of her writings.

Her poem More Love to Thee is based on Philippians 1:9: "And this I pray, that your love may overflow more and more in knowledge and full insight." Therefore the first verse of Elizabeth Prentiss' poem is: "

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee. Hear now the prayer I make, on bended knee."

She showed it to no one when it was finished for fear that it was too simple and not very important. But when her husband, Rev. George Prentiss found it years later, he arranged for it to be published as a leaflet. It was used very often in the church where he was pastor.

Soon it was discovered by a famous composer of the day, William H. Doane.  He wrote the music and included it in his hymnal SONGS OF DEVOTION. We are thankful that it continues to be a cherished part of most hymnals.

The beautiful melody of "More Love to Thee" makes this a heartfelt hymn of worship. And as we sing, we are also called to a deeper commitment to our Lord.

Lucy N. Adams

www.52hymns.com

 

 

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).

"Victory In Jesus" ~ Hymn Story ~ Lucy Neeley Adams

 Victory In Jesus

a hymn story by Lucy Neeley Adams
Material © by Lucy Neeley Adams

The Sunday night worship service at our church was not complete until we heard a familiar voice on the back row.  Our friend, Louis, always asked that we sing, "Victory In Jesus" as the closing hymn  And it was a joy to sing of hope and thankfulness to God, who will lead us to victory in Him. 

Another friend, Dan Pratt, author of TEARS ON THE CHURCH HOUSE FLOOR, writes about his son Bill, who is a non-reader.  But he can make a joyful noise with music that touches the heart.  "That is especially true if the song is, "Victory in Jesus". Many people have said that Bill's rendition brings tears to their eyes."

Recently, when I heard a young woman's testimony, based on this old favorite, it inspired me to dig deeper into its meaning.  The message came from the Prison Fellowship ministry (www.prisonfellowship.org) and a former inmate, Deborah, shared it to bring hope and healing in the midst of suffering.  Her first sentence to prison, initially scared her, so she reached out for God after her release.  But she soon returned to her previous rebellion and was arrested again. 

"I was angry and felt isolated", Deborah [the woman mentioned above] says, "like God had deserted me and this was my fate in life.  But then one day in 1995, I heard that a group of people from Prison Fellowship were coming to sing. One particular old hymn caught my attention ..." 

 'I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory.  How he gave his life on Calvary to save a wretch like me.  I heard about his groaning, of his precious blood atoning.  Then I repented of my sin and won the victory.'

"Everything seemed to come together about my pitiful past life and that I had been a wretch.  So I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.  Even though I had to remain in prison to complete my sentence, I was free in the Lord.  Deborah Daniels, is now a staff member with Prison Fellowship, and is an inspiration to many people." 

The musical talents and Christian faith of composer, Eugene M. Bartlett, spread throughout the south and in 1918, he established the Hartford Music Company of Hartford, Arkansas.  He published a monthly music magazine, Herald of Song, which promoted local musical groups.  After he composed, "Victory In Jesus", he spoke of the joy of his  salvation in this personal testimony.  It was first published by Vaughn Publishing in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. 

Eugene Bartlett died in 1941 at the age of 56, only two years after he had written this powerful hymn of confession and praise.  At the gravesite, there is a beautiful inscription on the headstone.  The first six musical notes are inscribed and underneath each note are the words, "I heard an old, old story."   

In 1973, Bartlett was posthumously inducted into the Gospel Music Associations Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee. Praise the Lord, that this hymn continues to grow in its ministry to lift up God's glory!

We are blessed and will always praise God for this beautiful story and pray will continue to bring victory with these words of faith. 

Lucy Neeley Adams

Peg Here: As usually happens whenever I get to post one of Lucy's wonderful Hymn Stories. I'm inspired to looking for a video to go along with it. So, here's the one I found. Enjoy! 

Video from one of the Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming gatherings.

"Because He Lives" ♦ Hymn Story Devotion ♦ Lucy Neeley Adams

                                                       

Because He Lives

a Hymn Story Devotional from Lucy Neeley Adams

   As we gather together for Thanksgiving feasts and joyful family times, we also remember some heartbreaks of recent times. There has been gun violence and flooding events.  There have also been tensions with leading officials. We can remember these sad experiences in prayers for healing.

   We can also sing this lovely song with the assurance that God is with us so we can face all of our tomorrows.  When it was written in the 1960's the fears of turbulent events involved extreme drug traffic, the Vietnam war and riots that led to feelings of insecurity.  

   The composers, Bill and Gloria Gaither were expecting the birth of their first son and they were concerned about his future.  In praying about these fears and asking God for protection, they experienced a peaceful reassurance.

   So there was much rejoicing when baby Benji was born.  He was welcomed by his sisters, and all friends.  No one knew that a song would soon be written in response to this great event and it would eventually  travel around the world.

   The words flowed from the Gaithers' thankful hearts as they wrote: "How sweet to hold a newborn baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives.  But greater still the calm assurance, this child can face uncertain days because Christ lives."

   When Bill and Gloria met, they were high school English teachers in Alexandria, Ind.  As they worked together, they discovered their musical interests and Gloria joined the family trio.  They were married in 1962 and one of the greatest musical teams of contemporary Christian music was formed. 

   The many requests for their songs was surprising.  Gloria says", We had copies stuffed in boxes under the bed and in drawers all over the house.  Our parents helped us fill orders and we knew, very soon, that we were to open our own printing place and devote full time to our music."

   Gaither Music Co. is now a large industry in Alexandria as recording studios and distribution centers have been added.  The couple have composed hundreds of songs and have won many awards. In 1974, "Because He Lives" was selected by the Gospel Music Association as the "Gospel Song of the Year." 

    Of this song they say, "The routine of each day can reflect resurrection hope, and new life.  Before the crucifixion, Jesus said, "In a little while, the world will see me no more. But you will see me, because I live, you shall live also. (John 14:19).

   During this blessed time of Thanksgiving, let us sing joyfully and with blessed assurance:

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow:

Because He lives, all fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future.

And life is worth the living, just because He lives."

Footnote: The soloists are...in order of appearance...Bill Gaither, Mark Lowry, and Guy Penrod.

Lucy Neeley Adams     

SONG STORIES

 www.52hymns.com

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.