Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

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Happy New Year!  Obviously I didn't make a New Year's resolution to blog weekly!  (Although it is Ukrainian New Year's Day today.... so maybe I will?!)


We are currently in the season of Epiphany in the church calendar.  I love this season because it is about revelation, about gaining insight into who Jesus is: Saviour, Lord, and God.  The season starts on January 6th which is the day we celebrated the Magi bringing gifts to Jesus and their acknowledgement of Him as king through their worship.  It lasts until Ash Wednesday when Lent starts (this year that is February 18th).  It is a season of light, of embracing the manifestation of God.


Last Sunday, we sang the hymn, "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise".   I love how it goes through scenarios from the Gospels of when it is revealed exactly WHO Jesus is: God.  Take a read through and let it draw you toward the One who was born so humbly in the stable and then lived, died, and arose to save us all.


1. Songs of thankfulness and praise
Jesus, Lord, to you we raise,
God revealed by guiding star
to the sages from afar,
branch of royal David's stem,
in your birth at Bethlehem:
anthems be to you addressed,
God in Christ made manifest.

2. God revealed at Jordan's stream
God's beloved Son supreme,
and at Cana, wedding guest,
in your power manifest,
God revealed in works divine,
changing water into wine:
anthems be to you addressed,
God in Christ made manifest.

3. God revealed in making whole
weakened limbs and fainting soul,
God revealed in valiant fight
quelling all the devil's might,
God revealed in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill:
anthems be to you addressed,
God in Christ made manifest.

4. Manifest on mountain height,
shining in resplendent light,
where disciples filled with awe
your transfigured glory saw;
from that place you went with them
steadfast to Jerusalem;
cross and Easter day attest
God in Christ made manifest.

5. Grant us grace to see you, Lord,
mirrored in your holy word;
may we imitate you still
and obey your perfect will,
that we like to you may be,
at your great Epiphany:
may your glory be confessed,
God in Christ made manifest.

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