Hymn: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Henry van Dyke wrote this hymn in 1907, and from the outset intended that it be sung to the famous tune from the final movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Dr. van Dyke wrote of his hymn writing, “These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time, hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore these are hymns of trust and joy and hope.” Indeed, an appropriate way for us to begin the New Year, singing of trust, and joy, and hope.
Hymn: Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
Isaac Watts wrote this hymn as a metrical version of Psalm 90:1-5, and had it published under the title “Man Frail, and God Eternal.” John Julian, a famous musicologist, once wrote that the hymn is “undoubtedly one of [Watts’] finest compositions and his best paraphrase.” Much like our opening hymn, this one serves to remind us of the strength and assurance God has provided to us in the past, and that which God will provide in the future.
Hymn: As With Gladness, Men of Old
This hymn, written by William Chatterton Dix, was penned while the author was sick in bed and was inspired by the Gospel lesson for the day. The tune used was originally penned by the German Conrad Kocher, and was later modified by William Henry Monk, who set the text to his tune, and named it after the author.
Solo: The God of All Eternity
The author of this text, John Bell, is a minister in the Church of Scotland and has been an influential speaker and writer on congregational singing for several decades. He writes of this setting, “New Year’s is a good time to remember that God is the Lord of tomorrow rather than the patron saint of yesterday.”
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