Lent

We are in the church season of Lent right now. I grew up in the Methodist church, where the church year dictates to an extent the hymns we sang, the scriptures we read, the sermons that were preached, and how the church was decorated. So you can imagine my surprise/shock/confusion when we sang "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" in church last week! I mean, Christ is risen - every day - but this is supposed to be the time of year when we are solemn, contemplative, and preparing for the death of Jesus.

So I have decided to share some of my favorite Lenten hymns with you all. First one up: And Can It Be (Amazing Love). I love the words to this hymn, its descriptions of both Jesus' sacrifice and its results for me and for you. You can listen to the traditional hymn tune setting by clicking here. BUT, I have recently discovered Indelible Grace Music, a group that is creating new settings for traditional hymn texts, and they have a really great setting of this hymn featuring Sandra McCracken. You can listen to that by clicking here. (Sidenote. I like to read hymn texts as sentences or thoughts, so this might look different than the normal layout of a hymn text.)

And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood? Died he for me, who caused his pain - for me, who him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

'Tis mystery all: the Immortal dies! Who can explain his strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love divine. 'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more.

He left his Father's throne above (so free, so infinite his grace!), emptied himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race. 'Tis mercy all, immense and free, for, O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night. Thine eye diffused in quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light. My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in him, is mine. Alive in him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine, bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.