Alleluia in Time of Sorrow - Column Nov. 2022
This month's column comes from our Director of Music, Mark Harris.
Alleluia in Time of Sorrow
Many years ago when I was on staff at Elon, I spent two weeks in London, England with fellow colleagues. This once in a lifetime opportunity allowed me to see the beauty of the city, its history and architecture, and experience the beautiful music that only the English seem to do so well. Having spent time at Westminster Abbey, St. George’s chapel in Windsor, and attending evening vespers at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where I was allowed to sit in the chancel fifteen feet from the choir singing the vesper service without organ accompaniment, allowed me to worship in a way I shall never forget.
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last month, I certainly watched the service and felt transported back to those places of worship I had visited and was once again lifted by the music and scripture readings that she herself had selected for her funeral. I was surprised at the opening hymn, The Day Thou Gavest Lord Has Ended, as I would not have thought of that for a funeral. It is in our Lutheran Book of Worship, and we have sung here at evening services and at Compline.
The darkness falls at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended,
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.
Our brethren 'neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.
Like earth's proud empires, pass away:
Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.
While a funeral is certainly a celebration of a life joining the church triumphant, perhaps the selection of this hymn at a funeral is to remind us to look beyond the individual and look instead to the greater work of the church collective. Looking at that last verse, the writer, John Ellerton, certainly puts everything in perspective by reminding us that the Church (kingdom) is what lasts, endures, and grows.
I admit as I approach the festival of All Saints on November 1, it is easy to think of individuals that are dearest to me that have joined the church triumphant rather than think of the whole church body and its greater work to God’s glory. At the end of this month we will close the church year with the festival of Christ the King. It is a festival that reminds us of Jesus’ conquering of sin and victory over death as we sing our praises of “Alleluia” and celebrate what we have been given by God our Father. Much like the “Alleluia” that was at the end of the final anthem at the queen’s funeral, we will remember that the day may be ended but shall begin anew under His guidance and care with the church never sleeping. Deo Gratias!