Read:

Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

I grew up in a church that sang 3-4 hymns each Sunday. The hymn numbers were posted on the hymn board and in the weekly bulletin. Once my family sat down in our pew, the first thing I would do was mark the hymns using the ribbons attached to the hymnal. A few of my favorites as a kid were The Old Rugged Cross, How Great Thou Art and Let Us Break Bread Together; which was always sung on communion Sunday. I remember holding the hymnal with my mom and dad, listening to them sing the alto and tenor parts. I loved these familiar hymns with the organ pumping out the harmonies, but really didn’t take time to reflect on the words. 

Once I left for college, praise and worship music became real to me as I got involved in campus ministries and for the first time my beloved hymns felt old fashioned. These days, hearing the words to my favorite hymns brings tears to my eyes and I now hear the meaning in the songs. I have struggled for years on how to introduce hymns to the next generation.

Enter Covid-19… the 40+ days of quarantine gave us a chance to slow life down a bit. I had this crazy idea to create “Family Hymn Sing Night.” There may have been a few moans and groans, but for 40 nights we gathered around the piano, picked a hymn and sang together. What started as a chore turned into a time of prayer and reflection with the four of us. We had conversations about the words and their meaning and talked about our own walks and relationships with Jesus. 

One evening we chose The Old Rugged Cross, I truly appreciate the words of these, “old fashioned” songs. What an amazing reminder during this time of slowing down and laying down our own “trophies”.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
And I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

For more information about the lyrics or stories of your favorite hymns, check out Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan.

Question:
Do you have a favorite hymn? Read the lyrics and see if there is something new that speaks to you.

Jenny DeFrancesco
Elementary Director