The Risen Christ

In every visit, every meeting I attend, every appointment I keep, I have been anticipated. The risen Christ is in that room already. What is he doing? What is he saying? What is going on?

- Eugene Peterson, Under the Unpredictable Plant, 127.

Whether Thou Readest or Writest

Whether thou readest or writest, whether thou watchest or sleepest, let the voice of love [to Christ] sound in thine ears; let this trumpet stir up thy soul: being overpowered with this love, seek Him on thy bed whom thy soul desireth and longeth for.

-Saint Jerome, quoted by my brother on my answering machine

Our World Belongs to God

1. As followers of Jesus Christ,
living in this world—
which some seek to control,
but which others view with despair—
we declare with joy and trust:
Our world belongs to God!

4. Our world has fallen into sin;
but rebellion and sin can never dethrone God.
He does not abandon the work of his hand;
the heavens still declare his glory.
He preserves his world,
sending seasons, sun, and rain,
upholding his creatures,
renewing the earth,
directing all things to their purpose.
He promised a Savior;
now the whole creation groans
in the birth pangs of a new creation.

5. God holds this world
in sovereign love.
He kept his promise,
sending Jesus into the world.
He poured out his Spirit
and broadcast the news
that sinners who repent and believe in Jesus
can live
and breathe
and move again
as members of the family of God.

6. We rejoice in the goodness of God,
renounce the works of darkness,
and dedicate ourselves to holy living.
As covenant partners,
called to faithful obedience,
and set free for joyful praise,
we offer our hearts and lives
to do God's work in his world.
With tempered impatience, eager to see injustice ended,
we expect the Day of the Lord.
And we are confident
that the light which shines in the present darkness
will fill the earth when Christ appears.

Come, Lord Jesus!
Our world belongs to you.

-Our World Belongs to God (a contemporary testimony of the CRC)

At the Name of Jesus

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.

At his voice creation sprang at once to sight:
all the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
all the heavenly order in their great array.

Humbled for a season, to receive a name
from the lips of sinners, unto whom he came;
faithfully he bore it spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious when from death he passed;

bore it up triumphant with its human light,
through all ranks of creatures, to the central height
to the throne of Godhead, to the Father's breast;
filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

In your hearts enthrone him; there let him subdue
all that is not holy, all that is not true.
crown him as your Captain in temptation's hour;
let his will enfold you in its light and power.

Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
with his Father's glory, with his angel train;
for all wreaths of empire meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him King of glory now.

Name him brothers, name him, with love strong as death
but with awe and wonder, and with baited breath;
he is God the Saviour, he is Christ the Lord,
ever to be worshiped, trusted and adored.

-Caroline M. Noel

Christ the Companion

WHEN I've thrown my books aside, being petulant and weary,
And have turned down the gas, and the firelight has sufficed,
When my brain's too stiff for prayer, and too indolent for theory,
Will You come and play with me, big Brother Christ?

Will You slip behind the book-case? Will you stir the window-curtain,
Peeping from the shadow with Your eyes like flame?
Set me staring at the alcove where the flicker's so uncertain,
Then suddenly, at my elbow, leap up, catch me, call my name?

Or take the great arm-chair, help me set the chestnuts roasting,
And tell me quiet stories, while the brown skins pop,
Of wayfarers and merchantmen and tramp of Roman hosting,
And how Joseph dwelt with Mary in the carpenter's shop?

When I drift away in dozing, will You softly light the candles
And touch the piano with Your kind, strong fingers,
Set stern fugues of Bach and stately themes of Handel's
Stalking through the corners where the last disquiet lingers?

And when we say good-night, and You kiss me on the landing,
Will You promise faithfully and make a solemn tryst:
You'll be just at hand if wanted, close by here where we are standing,
And be down in time for breakfast, big Brother Christ?

-Dorothy Sayers

Of the Father's Love Begotten

Of the Father’s love begotten
Ere the world began to be
He is alpha and omega
He the source, the ending he
Of the things that are, that have been
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore

Oh ye heights of Heaven adore him
Angel hosts his praises sing
Clouds, dominions bow before him
And extol our God and King
Let no tongue on earth be silent
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore

Christ to thee with God the Father
And O Holy Ghost, to thee
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving
And unwearied praises be
Honor, glory and dominion
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore

-Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413)