MY FAVORITE HYMN

I didn’t know the name Eochaid mac Colla (c. 560 – 640) until today! 

He was a sixth century Irish monk who lived, served and wrote – endearing himself to his people! While visiting a monk friend in a monastery on an island in extreme northwest Ireland he was martyred by pirates who invaded the island monastery. 

    

His nickname, Dallán ("little blind one"), was earned after he lost his sight, reputedly as a result of studying intensively. After writing his best-known work, Amhra Coluim Cille, [a poem about an Irish abbot and missionary evangelist credited with spreading Christianity in what is today Scotland] it is reported that Dallan regained his sight. 

[Credit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dall%C3%A1n_Forgaill]

Why is this name significant to us?

Dallen Forgaille is considered the author of the lyrics for one of the most beloved hymns of the church: “Be Thou My Vision”. The text of the hymn was translated from Old Irish into English by Mary E. Byrne in 1905. Oddly, she chose to to keep the Elizabethan language.  “Be Thou My Vision" is sung to the Irish folk song, “Slane,” which tells the story of Slane Hill where in A.D. 433 St. Patrick lit candles on Easter Eve in defiance of the pagan king Loe-gaire.

The context of the hymn is a prayer proclaiming Christ as our model and ideal. Each stanza begins with an aspect of His provision as: my vision, my wisdom, my true word, my great Father, my inheritance, my treasure, and heart of my heart.

It’s helpful to know the history of this hymn.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art.
Thou my best thought by day and by night;
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true Word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord.
Thou my great Father, I thy dear child;
Thou in me dwelling, with thee reconciled.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tow'r;
Raise thou me Heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'ns Sun!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

If you’d enjoy a beautiful video with Christyn Getty singing this hymn, click the link:  

SHE WAS SURPRISED THAT I KNEW THE HYMNS

I was leading a church that made a bold decision to make several key changes that would hopefully catalyze the church in growth with a specific age group: those in their twenties and thirties.  

One of these changes leaned toward being controversial.  It meant being deliberate about having people from the twenties and thirties on the platform every Sunday, AND changing our music to more fully represent the music interests of this age group.  

With the full support of the Leadership Team and their promise to defend our decision, we moved forward.  I immediately began recruiting from this age group to read scripture, make announcements and participate in as many ways as we could.  We also made an appeal for people from this group to be part of the worship team.  We made a concerted effort to target this age group's musical interests.

Of course, there was a quick lash back!  Although we had done our homework, explained our reasoning and were intentional about sustaining some of the music we had previously used, the older members of the congregation felt betrayed by our action.

FOOTNOTE:

Over the next two years our church family exploded in this age group!  The nursery crowded with babies and we had to add staff there!  This growth was pleasing to the older members who took pride in so many young families being part of our church!

We had one woman who was particularly upset with me for leading the church into this change.  She had a lovely soprano voice and volunteered from time-to-time to sing a solo during worship.  Several times, she promoted a choir during Easter or Christmas - which she led.  She was recognized throughout the community since she was a music teacher in the school system. 

During this time of change, she approached me critically over these adaptations we were making.  She was not happy about it!

During this same time period, she became seriously ill.  I went to visit with her and her husband in their home.  [When I home visit, I always bring my Bible and a hymnal which I would occasionally use to sing to older members and shut-ins.]  

In spite of her health condition, the subject of the church's music came up.  She openly expressed her dissatisfaction.  

I held up my hymnal, called her by name, and asked which hymn she'd like to sing together.  She made a comment that I probably wouldn't know the hymns that she liked.  I responded by telling her that I knew every hymn in the book!  She scoffed at that suggestion until I handed it to her and asked her to select a few.  Four times in a row, she handed it back to me with the encouragement:  "Sing this one."  Each time, I sang the hymn with her eventually joining in.  

By the end of our worship time, we were both in tears.

She looked at me with an incredulous expression.  "If you love the hymns so much, why are you leading us to sing this new stuff?"

I then explained that these twenty and thirty-somethings did not know and love the hymns the way I did!  If we wanted to reach them, we would have to adapt our music!  

I don't think she was ever happy about our changes, but the opposition stopped.  She continued to sing from time-to-time.  She and her husband continued to support the church,  with him reading scripture for me occasionally.  As mentioned above, they were delighted - along with the rest of us - to see the rallying of so many young adults and families who came to attend our church!