Let earth her song begin!

I was just getting myself together to visit some of our parish shut-ins, when the phone rang and one who hasn't been able to come to church for months let me know she would be here for 8 a.m. service Easter Day. I told her "We'll save you a pew" - Alleluia!



One Easter morning in the 80s, I took an early Amtrak from New York's Penn Station up to my mom's home town, Providence, RI. I would visit friends later in the day but that morning I made it to St. Stephen's parish on the Brown University campus. This was the processional hymn, and something about that morning keeps it one of my favorites. Written by St. John of Damascus in the 8th century, it was translated by celebrated hymn writer John Mason Neale in 1853 and set to a German tune of his time.



The day of resurrection!

Earth, tell it out abroad;

the Passover of gladness,

the Passover of God.

From death to life eternal,

from earth unto the sky,

our Christ hath brought us over, with hymns of victory.



Our hearts be pure from evil,

that we may see aright

the Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light;

and listening to his accents,

may hear so calm and plain

his own "All hail!" and, hearing,

may raise the victor strain.



Now let the heavens be joyful!

Let earth her song begin!

The round world keep high triumph,

and all that is therein!

Let all things seen and unseen

their notes in gladness blend,

for Christ the Lord hath risen,

our joy that hath no end.

May your Easter joy grow continually into eternity.