I feel rather like I need a big anthem for today’s Advent piece. As you know, I’m a big fan of Catherine Winkworth, the extraordinarily accomplished 19th Century English feminist who gave the Anglophone world some of the best translations of German Lutheran hymns. Earlier this month I gave you her Isaiah-based “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People”, which is among my all-time favorites.
Today let’s have another of her translations, “Lift Up Your
Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”, set to the tune “Truro”. This hymn urges us again and again to open
wide the portals of our hearts to receive the waiting King of Glory. That’s
what the season of Advent is, although we’re often told that it’s a period when
we’re doing the waiting, not the other way round.
Also—perhaps if we fill our hearts with love and joy, there'll be less room for the fear, hatred and vindictiveness currently swirling about us. Just a thought.
Here's the First United Methodist Church in Houston giving it their all.
©2024 Bas Bleu
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