Robert J. Morgan - Devotions for Advent: Meditations Based on Best-Loved Hymns

After winning the mens 400-meter race at the 1924 Paris Olympics, he left as a missionary to China. In 1943, during the Japanese invasion of China, Eric was imprisoned in the Weihsien Internment Camp along with numbers of missionary children. There he served with enormous courage until sidelined by a brain tumor. As he lay dying in the camp hospital, he had his nurse pass a note out the window, asking the camps Sunday school band to play his favorite hymn, Be Still, My Soul (Finlandia), which they did. Three days later, he was with the Lord. Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change, He faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake To guide the future, as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on When we shall be forever with the Lord. When disappointment, grief and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, loves purest joys restored. Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past All safe and blessd we shall meet at last. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. Psalm 46:10

Day 3
O God, Our Help in Ages Past

In the years prior to 1719, London pastor Isaac Watts decided to undertake the formidable task of converting the Psalms of David into Christian hymns. The resulting volume was titled The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament .

In a letter on April 11, 1728, Watts explained, In my opinion, the Psalms ought to be translated in such a manner for Christian worship, in order to show the hidden glories of that divine posey [verse or poem]. As a result, we have some of our greatest hymns couched in the language of the Psalms but full of references to Jesus and fit for Christian worship. Jesus Shall Reign was based on Psalm 72. Watts paraphrased Psalm 98 in Joy to the World. And his rendition of Psalm 90 goes like this: O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home. Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same. L ORD , You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Psalm 90:12

Day 4
Come, Thou Almighty King

Felice de Giardini was born in Italy on April 12, 1716. Much of his life was spent in Milan and Turin, where he was renowned as a violinist and composer; but he died virtually penniless in Moscow in 1796. He gave us the majestic Italian Hymn, which is the setting for Come, Thou Almighty King.

Come, Thou almighty King, Help us Thy name to sing, help us to praise! Father all glorious, oer all victorious, Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days! Come, Thou Incarnate Word, Gird on Thy mighty sword, our prayer attend! Come, and Thy people bless, and give Thy Word success, Spirit of holiness, on us descend! Come, Holy Comforter, Thy sacred witness bear in this glad hour! Thou, who almighty art, now rule in every heart, And neer from us depart, Spirit of power! To Thee, great One in Three, Eternal praises be, hence evermore; Thy sovereign majesty may we in glory see, And to eternity love and adore! Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! Revelation 5:13

Day 5
The Birthday of a King

Heres another Christmas favorite. Both the words and the music were written by a Brooklyn-born composer with a big heart for disabled children. William Harold Neidlinger was widely respected in the upper echelons of the music world as a church organist and conductor, but he also specialized in child psychology. He became well-known for his music books for kindergarteners; better known for the New Jersey school he founded for mentally handicapped children; and best known for his childrens Christmas Carol The Birthday of a King. Neidlinger passed away during the Christmas season, on December 5, 1924. In the little village of Bethlehem, There lay a Child one day; And the sky was bright with a holy light Oer the place where Jesus lay.

Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much God gave to us that day, From the manger bed what a path has led, What a perfect, holy way. Alleluia! O how the angels sang. Alleluia! How it rang! And the sky was bright with a holy light Twas the birthday of a King. Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2

Day 6
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise