Hymn #186: Again We Meet Around the Board
Again We Meet Around the Board is a pretty distinct title. As you know, I’m big into words and how they work and what they do, so as I pondered this hymn, the word “board” particularly stood out to me....
View ArticleHymn 137: Testimony
The witness of the Holy Ghost, As borne by those who know, Has lifted me again to thee, O Father of my soul. The beginning of this hymn makes reference to a gospel principle we don’t always spend a lot...
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Hymn #208: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Now that it’s getting to be the Christmas season, we turn our attention to the Christmas hymns in our hymnal. There are fourteen of them, and my decision to write short essays about each of them on my...
View ArticleHymn #205: Once in Royal David’s City
This hymn has an interesting history. It was first published in 1848 in a hymnal titled Hymns for Little Children, which I will discuss later. And, since 1919, Kings College Chapel Cambridge has sung...
View ArticleHymn #207: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth To touch their harps of gold: “Peace on the earth, good will to men From heav’n's all-gracious King.” The...
View ArticleHymn 206: Away in a Manger
We are often asked, in LDS theology, to give more attention to our hymns. Music can invite the spirit, and careful contemplation of the lyrics can add to our understanding of the doctrine. Indeed,...
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Hymn #209: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
When I picture the hours after Christ’s birth, I imagine a peaceful setting. An open-air stable is set into the side of a hill, lit by a couple flickering lamps. Mary gently rocks the newborn child in...
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Hymn #210: With Wondering Awe
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to his name! The word “hosanna” is used to express adoration, praise or joy. It is most often used as an exclamation, almost as if the speaker cannot hold back his or her...
View ArticleHymn #213: The First Noel
It’s simple, it’s short, and it’s impossibly beautiful. For a long, long time, this was my very favorite of the fourteen Christmas hymns in the LDS hymnal. (It was replaced a couple of years ago by “I...
View ArticleHymn #214: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas day and that you are celebrating this blessed day with the ones you love. It is a privilege to sit down today and share my thoughts with you regarding...
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