(Thursday)
My fifth birthday had been celebrated a few weeks earlier, and each Wednesday evening since cake day had been spent learning the song. Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells. Once a week, we would be split into two groups of children rehearsing our parts. These past two weeks, we had rejoined the other group and started singing both parts at the same time. All seem to say throw cares away.
I liked the song. It was fast-paced, and we sounded like Christmas bells. Ding dong. Ding dong. I don’t remember how many of us there were, but it seemed like a very large group to a child of my size. I think we had three whole rows! I don’t remember any of the other songs we learned or the names of the other children. I only remember Miss Sue was our adult leader, but I’m sure there were more grown ups. What I do remember very vividly was my red bow.
On Sunday, just before the worship service began, all the children quickly left our Sunday School classes and gathered in a side room just off the Sanctuary. Each one of us was fitted with a cute little white choir robe that made us look like angels. I loved fresh smell of starch and the bell sleeves. I was sure Miss Sue had ironed all night long.
My robe didn’t quite cover the hem of my new Sunday dress, and I was excited that everyone would get to see how pretty it was. I was especially proud of my patent leather shoes and lace socks. The shoes looked like black mirrors that reflected the ceiling lights. Each one had a shiny silver buckle just under my ankle bone. The socks were striking white with long and droopy lace. I knew they were fitting for a queen or an angel – or perhaps the queen of the angels. Finally, came the piece de resistance: the red bow.
One by one, the adults and their helpers pulled long red sashes from a box. The right length was super important. When my turn came, I was sure to stand perfectly still while Miss Sue placed the sash around my neck and tied a big perfect bow – not too tight, with perfect loops and two exact matching tails. I looked beautiful and was ready to perform. That day, I sang my heart out for Baby Jesus. I know it was just us kids singing, but I think I might have heard a couple of lacy angels join in with a few bells off in the distance. Christmas is here bringing good cheer.
I learned many songs in those early years that I continue to carry with me to this day. This Is the Day that the Lord Hath Made was one of the earliest, and I love that it is featured in our current hymnal. The songs that have stuck with me the most are filled with scripture. Words straight from the Bible set to music has to be one of the sweetest sounds ever created.
This time of year, as we move away from Baby Jesus and begin to stare straight into the face of Crucified Jesus, the bells are eerily quiet. I don’t hear the angel hallelujahs sing out during Lent; but when I do hear their praises, the sound is less like a birthday celebration and more like awe-inspired reverence.
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue confess him King of glory now; ’tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord, who from the beginning was the mighty Word. Straight from scripture, set to music and landing in our hymnal, I continue to revisit what Miss Sue taught us as children. Voices are meant to sing out the praise of Jesus, and the worship of Almighty God is our gift which ought to be adorned always with a big red bow.
Still singing,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 118
We thank you LORD God, for you alone are good, and your lovingkindness is everlasting. With the faithful of every time and place we declare, everlasting lovingkindness is yours alone. Open for me the gates of justice, so that I may enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD, where those who live justly may enter. I give thanks because you have answered me and became my rescuer. The stone which the builders scorned has become the first, the cornerstone. The LORD has brought this about, and it is astounding. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. LORD, save us; let us enjoy success. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and has given us light; join in celebratory procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I give you thanks; You are my God, and I praise you with great joy. Give thanks to the LORD, who alone is good, and whose lovingkindness is everlasting. Amen.
For this and other prayers, visit: https://re-worship.blogspot.com
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118 – This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Deuteronomy 16 – …on the seventh day there shall be a solemn assembly for the Lord your God, when you shall do no work.
Philippians 2 – Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
My fifth birthday had been celebrated a few weeks earlier, and each Wednesday evening since cake day had been spent learning the song. Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells. Once a week, we would be split into two groups of children rehearsing our parts. These past two weeks, we had rejoined the other group and started singing both parts at the same time. All seem to say throw cares away.
I liked the song. It was fast-paced, and we sounded like Christmas bells. Ding dong. Ding dong. I don’t remember how many of us there were, but it seemed like a very large group to a child of my size. I think we had three whole rows! I don’t remember any of the other songs we learned or the names of the other children. I only remember Miss Sue was our adult leader, but I’m sure there were more grown ups. What I do remember very vividly was my red bow.
On Sunday, just before the worship service began, all the children quickly left our Sunday School classes and gathered in a side room just off the Sanctuary. Each one of us was fitted with a cute little white choir robe that made us look like angels. I loved fresh smell of starch and the bell sleeves. I was sure Miss Sue had ironed all night long.
My robe didn’t quite cover the hem of my new Sunday dress, and I was excited that everyone would get to see how pretty it was. I was especially proud of my patent leather shoes and lace socks. The shoes looked like black mirrors that reflected the ceiling lights. Each one had a shiny silver buckle just under my ankle bone. The socks were striking white with long and droopy lace. I knew they were fitting for a queen or an angel – or perhaps the queen of the angels. Finally, came the piece de resistance: the red bow.
One by one, the adults and their helpers pulled long red sashes from a box. The right length was super important. When my turn came, I was sure to stand perfectly still while Miss Sue placed the sash around my neck and tied a big perfect bow – not too tight, with perfect loops and two exact matching tails. I looked beautiful and was ready to perform. That day, I sang my heart out for Baby Jesus. I know it was just us kids singing, but I think I might have heard a couple of lacy angels join in with a few bells off in the distance. Christmas is here bringing good cheer.
I learned many songs in those early years that I continue to carry with me to this day. This Is the Day that the Lord Hath Made was one of the earliest, and I love that it is featured in our current hymnal. The songs that have stuck with me the most are filled with scripture. Words straight from the Bible set to music has to be one of the sweetest sounds ever created.
This time of year, as we move away from Baby Jesus and begin to stare straight into the face of Crucified Jesus, the bells are eerily quiet. I don’t hear the angel hallelujahs sing out during Lent; but when I do hear their praises, the sound is less like a birthday celebration and more like awe-inspired reverence.
At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, every tongue confess him King of glory now; ’tis the Father’s pleasure we should call him Lord, who from the beginning was the mighty Word. Straight from scripture, set to music and landing in our hymnal, I continue to revisit what Miss Sue taught us as children. Voices are meant to sing out the praise of Jesus, and the worship of Almighty God is our gift which ought to be adorned always with a big red bow.
Still singing,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 118
We thank you LORD God, for you alone are good, and your lovingkindness is everlasting. With the faithful of every time and place we declare, everlasting lovingkindness is yours alone. Open for me the gates of justice, so that I may enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD, where those who live justly may enter. I give thanks because you have answered me and became my rescuer. The stone which the builders scorned has become the first, the cornerstone. The LORD has brought this about, and it is astounding. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. LORD, save us; let us enjoy success. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and has given us light; join in celebratory procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I give you thanks; You are my God, and I praise you with great joy. Give thanks to the LORD, who alone is good, and whose lovingkindness is everlasting. Amen.
For this and other prayers, visit: https://re-worship.blogspot.com
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 118 – This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Deuteronomy 16 – …on the seventh day there shall be a solemn assembly for the Lord your God, when you shall do no work.
Philippians 2 – Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html