TABERNACLE LAMPS WITHIN THE HEART - SONG

Tabernacle Lamps Within the Heart

(To the tune of “Be Thou My Vision”)

Long years the blind man walked without his sight,
Without the dawn, without the light;
He knew no bright colour, no soft shining flame,
And few in pity, remembered his name.

Beside the roadside, in sorrow he stayed,
While seasons passed, and sunlight played;
Yet deep in the darkness, his weary heart cried,
For healing, no earthly hand could provide.

Then Jesus came, with compassionate Gaze,
Bringing God’s Healing and heavenly Grace;
He spat on the earth, and He fashioned the clay,
To open blind eyes, that very same day.

The clay He placed on the blind beggar’s eyes,
Beneath the wide blue Judean skies;
“Go wash,” said the Christ, with tender command,
Then hope like lit lamp, burned bright in the man.

He washed in waters, refreshing and clear,
Suddenly all of the world drew near;
The light burst forth, like the gold morning sun,
As a new healed life, just truly begun.

The first bles'sed sight, that met his cleared eyes,
Was Christ Whose mercy, he did recognize;
O what a Saviour, so gentle, Divine;
Glorious  Redeemer, forever is mine!

(Modulate to one key higher for the next verse)

So let us ask of Christ every day,
To wash all our inner darkness away;
To heal the blindness, concealed in our soul,
And make our broken hearts, united and whole.

When others suffer in silence and pain,
Too often we turn, and pass by again;
Lord, give us eyes, that truly can see,
The wounds of the lost, in humanity.

Bring holy light, into our minds and heart,
Bid hidden shadows, and fear depart;
Shine through the chambers, within us today,
Drive all the blight of sin, from us far away.

Then when at last, unto Heaven we rise,
With opened hearts, and with glorified eyes;
May holy lamps, within us still burn,
As our souls joyfully, to Jesus return.

Like the blind man, healed by Christ’s holy Flame,
Who joyfully praised, the Lord’s holy Name;
May Heavn’s tabernacle lamps brightly spark,
Ever shine in the depths of each heart.

This song fits beautifully to the public domain hymn tune “Be Thou My Vision” which has a gentle, prayerful flow suited to the theme of healing and inner light.

Hymn inspired by John Chapter 9

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Offering of light to the Divine" 

THE JEWELLER OF SOULS - SONG

 

The Jeweller of Souls

(to the tune of public domain hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Robert Robinson)

(Sing with prayerful, soulful tone)

Verse 1;

When God looked down on His nation,
Dwelling in the desert sand.
He chose craftsmen for His station,
Gifted by His Holy Hand.
Bezalel wrought gold with splendour,
Aholiab did labour too;
For the Lord, they shaped great beauty,
Faithful in the work they knew.

Verse 2;

Filigree and shining treasure,
Precious stones in radiant flame.
Hammered out with skill and measure,
Fashioned for God’s holy Name.
Topaz glowed with wisdom’s brightness,
Amethyst with royal grace.
Pearls proclaimed the soul’s steadfastness,
Rubies burned through sacrifice.

Verse 3;

(Modulate to one key higher for the next verse)

Sapphires shone with loyal spirit,
Constant through the darkest days.
Every jewel seemed to mirror,
Hearts refined through holy ways.
For the Lord still calls His people,
To a temple, not of stone;
But within the soul’s deep chamber,
God would fashion as His own.

Verse 4;

We ourselves must be the dwelling,
Where the lamps of grace are bright;
Where the incense of our praying,
Rises upward day and night.
Let our virtues shine like jewels,
Set within the inward shrine;
Let our thoughts and deeds be holy,
Consecrated to Divine.

Verse 5;

When the griefs of life surround us,
Sorrows, losses, pain, and tears;
These are tools the Master uses,
Through the polishing of years.
All our pride and roughness yielding,
Slowly shaped by Heaven’s art,
Till at last the Lord beholds there,
A pure jewel in the heart.

Verse 6;

As the ancient craftsmen laboured,
For the Holy One above;
Let us labour in His Service,
Fashioned daily by His Love.
Then, when we shall stand before Him,
At the ending of our days;
He shall find His Image shining,
Through our lives of prayer and praise.

Verse 7;

(Modulate to one key higher for the next verse)

Not in gold that may fade slowly,
Not in earthly gems that dim;
But in souls made bright and holy,
With beauty meant for Him.
May we find the Divine Jeweller,
Who works through all our days;
To make us pure and holy,
Fit to offer heaven'ly praise.

Verse 8;

(First four lines of the tune)

(Rallentando)

Not in gold that may fade slowly,
Not in earthly gems that dim;
But in souls made bright and holy,
With beauty meant for Him.

Inspired by Exodus chapter 24, 25, 35 and 39

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "God, the Jeweller of our souls" 

THE KINGDOM GROWS IN SILENCE - SONG

 

The Kingdom Grows in Silence

From but a mustard seed so small,
God’s Kingdom once was sown;
A tender shoot through earth arose,
By grace and mercy grown.

Though hidden first from human eyes,
Its roots spread deep and wide;
And weary souls from every land,
Found shelter there to bide.

The birds of air came seeking rest
Within the branches broad;
The weary burdened found their peace,
Beneath the tree of God.

As leaven hidden in the bread,
Moves softly through the whole;
So does Christ’s Mercy gently work,
Within the seeking soul.

No trumpet sound, no worldly throne,
No pride nor earthly fame;
Yet hearts are changed and lives renewed
Through calling on His Name.

So let us walk with humble love,
And ease each other’s strain;
While God doth raise the smallest seed,
To bless our earth again.

Lord, make Thy Church a living tree,
Whose branches open wide;
That all who seek may find true rest
And safely there abide.

Till all creation comes to know,
The peace Thy mercies bring;
And every heart in every land,
Rejoice that Christ is King.

This song may be sung to the public domain tune of "Amazing Grace," whose reflective and prayerful melody beautifully suits the spirit of the Parables of the Leaven and Mustard seed. To be in the public domain, means that it can be used freely without permission.

This hymn was inspired by the writing of GMA Jansen (Fr Norbert OP), page 15 of Pro Veritate Volume V No. 12. Baptism and Co-Existence. 15 April 1967

If you wish to know more about the article "Baptism and Co-Existence," please click in the following link:

https://sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/archive-files/PvApr67.pdf

With thanks to sahistory.org.za

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Divine Blessing" 

SAINT ATHENAGORAS OF ATHENS - SONG

Saint Athenagoras of Athens

In ages dim of ancient days,
When fear opposed the Christian ways,
There rose a voice so calm and wise,
With mercy shining through his eyes.
Saint Athenagoras stood near,
To speak sweet truth when hearts knew fear;
With patient word and gentle art,
He brought God’s Light to mind and heart.

He answered not with wrathful flame,
Nor sought for gold or earthly fame;
But through the wisdom God had given,
He turned men's thoughts from earth to Heaven.
He taught that life is sacred still,
Not ours to wound by cruel will;
For every soul bears God above,
And each was fashioned by His Love.

He mourned the Cross on Calvary’s hill,
Where Christ fulfilled the Father’s Will;
The Holy Son of God was slain,
Yet rose to break the bonds of pain.
O saint of Athens, pure and mild,
You showed the Face of God’s dear Child;
The loving Lord whose mercies' breadth,
Outshine the sword and conquer death.

Through writings filled with grace and peace,
You taught that hatred too may cease;
That gentle truth and reason fair,
Can lift the soul from deep despair.
And now, dear saint, for us entreat,
That Christ may guide our wandering feet;
That we may take life’s pen each day,
And write God’s Truth along our way.

Within the parchment of the soul,
May Christ the King become the whole;
That all we think and say and do,
May bear His gentle Light anew.
Then when our earthly race is trod,
And we ascend to Heaven and God,
May you behold with joyful gaze
The fruits of faithful Christian ways.

May you then know us there above
By mercy, gentleness, and love;
For in our hearts Christ’s Voice shall ring  -
The Truth you served while witnessing.

This song may be sung to the public domain tune of “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” (also known as the Passion Chorale), which carries a solemn and devotional beauty fitting for Saint Athenagoras of Athens.

This song was inspired by the life and works of Saint Athenagoras.

CHURCH FATHERS: A Plea for the Christians

https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0205.htm

With thanks to newadvent.org

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Divine Light shines upon Saint Athenagoras"

THE CROSS UNFOLDS A PATH WITHIN

The Cross unfolds a path within

Verse 1
Upon the hill where Christ was slain,
He bore the weight of sin;
A spark was lit within my soul,
New life began within.

Verse 2
No longer bound by sin’s harsh chain,
Its grip is torn away;
A deeper strength now stirs in me,
A light for night and day.

Verse 3
The Cross unfolds a path within,
Where hidden grace is found;
Amid the rush of daily life,
God’s silence speaks profound.

Verse 4
An anchorite within my heart,
A sacred, quiet place;
Where Christ abides in stillness deep,
And fills my soul with grace.

Verse 5
O mystery of Love Divine,
That draws my soul to Thee;
Through Cross and death I rise anew,
In truth and liberty.

Verse 6
So let the world in turmoil turn,
Its fleeting shadows fall;
For Christ now lives and reigns within,
My Life, my Lord, my All.

The above hymn is structured in Common Meter (8.6.8.6) so it can be sung to well-known tunes such as Amazing Grace. The tune "Amazing Grace" is in the public domain. This means that it can be used freely without permission.

The hymn was inspired by Matthew Chapter 27

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "The Cross of Christ" 

A GREAT AND MIGHTY WONDER

 

Devoted Reverend Vanessa Wyse Jackson, deeply attuned to the mystery of the Incarnation, held a special love for the hymn, "A Great and Mighty Wonder."

During the holy season of Nativity, she gently ensured that the hymn found its place within the liturgy, believing that the ancient words and solemn melody helped to bring hearts into quiet expectation.

For Reverend Vanessa, the hymn was more than music; it was a doorway into contemplation, echoing the eternal Word entering time. The sacred hymn invites all who hear it to prepare with reverence and awe for the coming of Christ.

A GREAT AND MIGHTY WONDER

Verse 1;

A great and mighty wonder, 

A full and holy cure;

The Virgin bears the Infant, 

With Virgin honour pure!

Repeat the hymn again:

"To God on high be glory

And peace on earth to men!" 

Verse 2;

The Word becomes incarnate

And yet remains on high;

And cherubim sing anthems

To shepherds from the sky.

Repeat the hymn again:

"To God on high be glory

And peace on earth to men!"

Verse 3:

While thus they sing your Monarch,

Those bright angelic bands,

Rejoice, ye vales and mountains,

Ye oceans, clap your hands.

Repeat the hymn again:

"To God on high be glory

And peace on earth to men!"

Verse 4:

Since all He comes to ransom,

By all be He adored;

The Infant born in Bethl'em

The Saviour and the Lord.

Repeat the hymn again:

"To God on high be glory

And peace on earth to men!"

Verse 5:

And idol forms shall perish,

And error shall decay,

And Christ shall wield His scepter,

Our Lord and God for aye.

Repeat the hymn again:

"To God on high be glory

And peace on earth to men!"

A Great and Mighty Wonder is an ancient carol based around the words of St Germanus (c 634 - 732), traditionally sung to the tune "Es is ein Ros entsprungen" published in "Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesang" (Köln, Germany, 1599) and harmonised by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621). 

The words of St Germanus were translated by John Mason Neale (1818-1866).

                                             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snkX6SxWAiw

With thanks to Youtube

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Nativity Scene with Angels and Animals" 

GOD IS MUSIC, GOD IS LIFE

TO the Trinity be praise!

      God is music, God is life

 that nurtures every creature in its kind.

Our God is the song of the angel throng

    and the splendor of secret ways

    hid from all humankind,

But God our life is the life of all.

                              Hildegard of Bingen

                                               Twelfth century