tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post7657315132812529347..comments2024-03-29T09:20:16.581-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: There is still room. . .Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-49413057164243169142010-01-01T17:09:36.607-06:002010-01-01T17:09:36.607-06:00Dear Pastor Peters,
Thank you for your eloquently...Dear Pastor Peters,<br /><br />Thank you for your eloquently written thoughts regarding Vajda's "Where Shepherds Lately Knelt." This beautiful Christmas hymn, unknown to Grace Lutheran Church, Columbus, Indiana until about 7 years ago has now become as beloved a Christmas hymn as many others that came before it. First introduced by Cantors singing it during the Offering, the congregation now hums the tune as I play an introduction for all to sing it. Dr. Norman Nagel spoke a great truth when addressing the subject of new additions to our rich heritage of hymns and liturgy. I thank God for gifted poets in our day such as Jaroslav Vajda and Stephen Starke.<br /><br />I thought I would share a little more background on this hymn, having researched it for hymn festival bulletins a few times over the years. Vajda sought to express that central historical event in a new and fresh way. In so doing, he placed himself at the manger bed and "reviewed the implications of that visit in my life and future and in that of my fellow human beings." Vajda, I believe, was concerned about the increasingly routine (and secularized) commemoration of an event whose “impact on God's heart” remains the means of our salvation. I now quote Vajda's last sentence in his essay on this hymn, "I pictured myself at the opposite side of the event from Isaiah and his prophecy (9:6, 7), applying the same promise to myself as a late-arriving pilgrim." The entire text is profoundly moving, and I find the third stanza to be especially so.<br /><br />Let us celebrate each season of the year with the old and new hymns alike, giving thanks for the generous way in which God has gifted poets throughout the centuries to express His praise.<br /><br />John W. Matthews, Jr.<br />Director of Music and Organist<br />Grace Lutheran Church<br />Columbus, IndianaJohn W. Matthews, Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07394014698554313967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-34067400564473259392009-12-30T23:24:19.589-06:002009-12-30T23:24:19.589-06:00First for me. Beautiful. Thanks Rev. Peters
Larry...First for me. Beautiful. Thanks Rev. Peters<br /><br />Larry LuderLarry Luderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12101494569807214010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-49872123041861939522009-12-27T16:49:17.555-06:002009-12-27T16:49:17.555-06:00How rich and true
Thank YouHow rich and true<br />Thank YouErnestOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13077415409728022160noreply@blogger.com