The Same Old Prayer

Well, I turned 52 last week, but I think my knees turned older than that. Mentally I don’t really feel old, but I do find that what my mind desires today is different than what it desired decades ago when I was “young”. I use to go to a bookstore and look for the newest author, but now you are more likely to find me in the dead authors section. In worship I normally prefer to sing newer “praise songs”, but the other night I found myself making a big deal about singing “A Mighty Fortress”, one of the oldest songs in our hymnal. The older I get the more connected I want to be with what and who has gone before.

In my last post, I made reference to the song O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Did you know that the lyrics of that carol originated from the Advent anthems of Christians almost 900 years ago! Each night, for seven days before Christmas, the Christians would sing one of these anthems, each preceded by a prayer which began with the Latin, “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel”. And the traditional melody was composed in 15th Century France, but was likely a reinvention of 8th Century Gregorian chants -- a long time ago!

Now, when I sing this song, I can join my medieval brothers who were looking back to Bethlehem as a reminder that the King has arrived, if we will but follow. This Christmas, my prayer is the same as theirs:

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.