Best Loved Hymns and Readings

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my Lord, shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace!

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race!

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For, O my God, it found out me.

‘Tis mystery all! th’ Immortal dies!

Who can explore his strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love divine.

‘Tis mercy all! let earth adore;

Let angel minds inquire no more.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;

I woke – the dungeon flamed with light!

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Charles Wesley (1707-88)

Away in a manger (#ulink_71b253a1-4797-5790-ba12-ae136417eb1e)

Extraordinarily, no one knows who wrote this hugely popular children’s Christmas carol, although the third verse is known to have been the work of John Thomas McFarland (1851-1913). Because it was first published in a Lutheran hymnal early in the nineteenth century it was assumed for many years that it was composed by Martin Luther himself, but this appears to be an erroneous attribution.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;

The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay –

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,

And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus: I ask Thee to stay

Close by me for ever, and love me, I pray;

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

Anonymous

Be baptized (#ulink_fae02a41-2eec-5c7f-a624-27cb0c278ba6)

This passage from Acts 2:38-42 contains the best-known call to discipleship from the early church. Peter, who had been fearful and timid, denying Christ three times, has been empowered by the Holy Spirit and is now proclaiming the good news boldly and fearlessly. The results are dramatic as many come to believe in Jesus Christ.

Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the LORD our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Be still, my soul (#ulink_9034346d-17ad-5f74-a1a2-b1ff3ffdc806)

Katharina Amalia von Schlegel was the canoness of a women’s seminary in post-Reformation Germany and a leading figure in the Pietist movement. This hymn became a great favourite among English speakers after being translated by Jane Laurie Borthwick (1813-97), a dedicated member of the Free Church of Scotland. It owes much of its success to its setting to Sibelius’ music Finlandia.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;