St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Hymn Writer and Theologian

Today the Christian Church gives thanks for our brother, Bernard of Clairvaux, who beautified the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with wonderful hymns such as this:


From our Synod's Website:
Bernard of Clairvaux, Hymnwriter and Theologian
A leader in Christian Europe in the first half of the 11th century A.D., Bernard is honored in his native France and around the world. Born into a noble family in Burgundy in 1090, Bernard left the affluence of his heritage and entered the monastery of Citeaux at the age of 22. After two years he was sent to start a new monastic house at Clairvaux. His work there was blessed in many ways. The monastery at Clairvaux grew in mission and service, eventually establishing some 68 daughter houses. Bernard is remembered for his charity and political abilities, but especially for his preaching and hymn composition. The hymn texts “O Jesus, King Most Wonderful” and “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” are part of the heritage of the faith left by Saint Bernard.


And from Issues, etc. :

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us!

Very near to the top of Mount Calvary in our Lenten journey, we weary travelers are given a reminder and joyful feast to fill our hearts and souls.

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation, or, perhaps more appropriately, the Feast of the Incarnation. For that is surely what it is, the incarnation of our good Lord Jesus Christ in the womb of His holy mother.

It is that incarnation, that putting on of our flesh, that allowed our dear Savior to bear our sins bodily on the cross. It is that same flesh that rose again on that still more glorious Feast of the Resurrection. It is that flesh, glorified and whole, that sits at the Father’s right hand making intercession for us even now. It is that Feast of the Incarnation that we celebrate every time we take the incarnate Word of God into our mouths at the Holy Supper and into our ears and hearts at the hearing of the beautiful Gospel message.

Also at this under celebrated feast we give thanks for that faith of the Virgin Mother. That faith which says in the midst of uncertainty, improbability and foolishness "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." That faith first uttered on the lips of Eve when she was given a son, that faith acted upon by Abraham with his Son. That faith that is a gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the faith that we give thanks for and the faith that, through our baptism, we share. Such amazing faith!

+ + +

Lord, give us such faith as we look upon the awful cross of Christ, that we may not turn in fear from the gifts You give us, but, with Your good gift of faith, embrace that gift of mercy, grace, forgiveness of sins, life and salvation found in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

*

The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came (LSB 356)

The angel Gabriel from Heaven came,
With wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame;

“All hail, to thee, O lowly maiden Mary,

Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

“For know a blessèd mother thou shalt be,

All generations laud and honor thee,

Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,

Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,

“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said,

“My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name.”

Most highly favored lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born

In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,

And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say—

“Most highly favored lady,” Gloria!

_____________________________

* The Annunciation by Fra Angelico

Ascension Evening Hymn of Praise

On Christ's ascension I now build
The hope of my ascension;
This hope alone has always stilled

All doubt and apprehension;

For where the Head is, there as well

I know His members are to dwell

When Christ will come and call them.

+ + +

Since Christ returned to claim His throne,

Great gifts for me obtaining,

My heart will rest in Him alone,

No others rest remaining;

For where my treasure went before,

There all my thoughts will ever soar

To still their deepest yearning.

+ + +

O grant, dear Lord, this grace to me,

Recalling Your ascension,

That I may serve You faithfully

In thanks for my redemption;

And then, when all my days will cease,

Let me depart in joy and peace

In answer to my pleading.*

* LSB 492

The Tree of Life

The tree of life with ev'ry good
In Eden's holy orchard stood,
And of its fruit so pure and sweet
God let the man and woman eat.
Yet in this garden also grew
Another tree, of which they knew;
Its lovely limbs with fruit adorned
Against whose eating God had warned.

The stillness of that sacred grove
Was broken, as the serpent strove
With tempting voice Eve to beguile
And Adam too by sin defile.
O day of sadness when the breath
Of fear and darkness, doubt and death,
Its awful poison first displayed
Within the world so newly made.

What mercy God showed to our race,
A plan of rescue by His grace:
In sending One from woman's seed,
The One to fill our greatest need--
For on a tree uplifted high
His only Son for sin would die,

Would drink the cup of scorn and dread
To crush the ancient serpent's head!

Now from that tree of Jesus' shame
Flows life eternal in His name;
For all who trust and will believe,
Salvation's living fruit receive.
And of this fruit so pure and sweet
The Lord invites the world to eat,
To find within this cross of wood
The tree of life with ev'ry good.

LSB 561
Text: Stephen P. Starke, b. 1955
Tune: BruceW. Becker, b. 1952; Henry V. Gerike, b. 1948

And Behold...it is Good!

So, let me give you a glimpse into many of my converstaions with my dear and wonderful wife:
Me: Baby, you've got to see this cool cross/liturgical doo-dad/book/icon! Isn't it the coolest thing ever?!?
My Wife: (Somewhat exasperated and suspicious) Yeah, it's ok, why do you ask?
Me: I really want to get it and it's only so much, I really need it, can I get it?
My Wife: (sighs) Do you REALLY NEED another cross/liturgical doo-dad/book/icon? I mean, our small apartment is already filled, do you really NEED another thing?
Me: (conceding) You're right. (sighs) I guess I don't REALLY NEED it, but it's so cool!
My Wife: I know, Baby. Maybe later.

I thank God for a wife that is so fiscally conservative and is willing to tell her adorable and persuasive husband "no" when he needs to hear it.

However, this time I had a real reason! The Lutheran Service Book!! I have to know what's going on with our new hymnal, and my wife, although somewhat reluctantly, saw the wisdom in this and agreed that it would be good for us to have a copy.

What can I say about this fantastic new hymnal? I mean, it's beautifully put together, it has a big variety of service options, it just could not be any better in my humble opinion! I love it!

When I first opened it, I fully expected a choir of angels to starting singing and light to eminate from its pages (that is how excited I was about getting it!) I know, and I embrace my dorkiness in this area. So there is no need for comments about it! If your church is considering adopting this new hymnal, encourage it, if your church needs new hymnals, get this one! Also, the book Worshiping with Angels and Archangels: An Introduction to the Divine Service is an excellent and very reasonably priced resource to go along with the new hymnal. Check them both out, and for heaven's sake, get excited about Lutheran Worship!

Some Hymns I'm working on

Christ, the Source of all Praise and Worship

The holiday season is swiftly approaching! The Advent of our God is our theme in prayer! I have been bitten by the hymnology bug (if hymnology is a word.) These are a few attempts to leave my mark on the world, for better or worse.

I wrote this to be a Thanksgiving offertory. The Sanctus and Agnus Dei are also for our Thanksgiving service.

Give thanks to God for He is good.
He blesses us with home and food.
His steadfast love continues on,
Praise Christ who has the vict’ry won!

Be not concerned with anything,
But to Him with thanksgiving bring
Our supplication and our prayer,
Our needs with Him we gladly share.

Praise be to God who is our gain,
Daily He blesses us with grain.
Come let us now respond in love,
To the Eternal throned above.

Now may this peace from God above,
Given in Christ with perfect love,
Guard us in all our thoughts and ways
Till He returns at end of days.
(Text: James A. Roemke, 2005 Tune: Old Hundredth)

Sanctus (sung to “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel” LW #1)

O Holy, holy, holy Lord
In all the heav’ns and earth adored.
Thou art the Lord of power and might,
You fill us with Thy radiant light.
Holy, holy only Thou art holy
We come to Thee humble and lowly.
(Text: James A. Roemke, 2005)

Agnus Dei (sung to Puer Nobis, “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry” LW #14)

O Lamb of God, perfect and mild
You came to us a little child.
The weight of sin you came to bear,
Now in your righteousness we share.
(Text: James A. Roemke, 2005)

These verses I plan on using for the Advent theme. I will be preaching on the names of Immanuel in Isaiah 9:6 using a different name each Wednesday service. I plan on inserting the appropriate stanza for the week's sermon in LW #12 "The Advent of Our God."

Wonderful Counselor, who guides us all our days, stay close to us abide with us and lead us through life’s maze.

Come Mighty God, arise. Defend us from all harm. Lord Jesus comes to save us with His Almighty arm.

Everlasting Father, beginning and our end, Alpha , Omega, Eternal your sheep you came to tend.

O Christ, our Prince of Peace, you died to give us life. Sins bonds are broke, the price is paid an end to all our strife.

(Text: James A. Roemke, 2005 Tune: St. Thomas)

My first and only attempt at hymn writing

I wrote this song for a second-grade class I was teaching religion to as part of my requirements for "Pastor as Educator." It was written to teach about the miracles of Jesus for Mrs. Sherry Langford's class at Our Savior Lutheran School in Fenton, Missouri.

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Word

All hail the power of Jesus’ Word, all nature prostrate fall.
He is the Lord our Savior, so crown Him Lord of all.
He is the Lord our Savior, so crown Him Lord of all.

The water turned to wine so sweet at Cana’s wedding feast.
Proclaim Him Lord at His first sign, and crown Him Lord of all.
Proclaim Him Lord at His first sign, and crown Him Lord of all.

Upon the mount He fed the crowd by power of His Word.
He fed them all by His Strong Word, so crown Him Lord of all.
He fed them all by His Strong Word, so crown Him Lord of all.

By His strong Word He stilled the waves, said to the wind “Be still.”
“Why did you fear? O, Trust in Me! I am the Lord of all!”
“Why did you fear? O, Trust in Me! I am the Lord of all!”

Blind Bartimaeus sat alone on Jericho’s grim gate.
“Receive your sight my faithful son, I am the Lord of all!”
“Receive your sight my faithful son, I am the Lord of all!”

From through the roof was low’red the man that could not walk at all.
“Arise my son, pick up your mat. I am the Lord of all!”
“Arise my son, pick up your mat. I am the Lord of all!”

At Simon-Peter’s home did He by strong Word rebuke the fev'r.
The woman rose and served her Lord; she crowned Him Lord of all.
The woman rose and served her Lord; she crowned Him Lord of all.

The faithful Roman officer came to the Lord of Love.
“Just say the Word , it shall be done, You are the Lord of all.”
“Just say the Word , it shall be done, You are the Lord of all.”

Then Jairus came before the Lord and fell down at His feet.
“My daughter’s ill, but you can help. You are the Lord of all!”
“My daughter’s ill, but you can help. You are the Lord of all!”

Jesus the Christ, He is the Lord of heaven and all earth.
By His strong Word He heals us all, He is the Lord of all.
By His strong Word He heals us all, He is the Lord of all.

Text: James A. Roemke, February 3, 2005
Tune: Coronation, Oliver Holden, 1765-1844