During the night of September 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key, a Washington attorney was sent to the British command to secure the release of a prisoner when the fleet began to bombard the placements of American fortifications in Baltimore at Fort McHenry. Though the battle raged through the night, the defenses stood firm. The sight of the flag still flying over …
Why Palm Fronds?
The palm tree and palm leaves appear again and again throughout the Bible as symbols of integrity, honor, righteousness, holiness, godly authority, and royal glory. The palm was used in the carved decorations of the temple, usually associated with the Cherubim, but also with the regal lion and the flower in full bloom. Indeed, the association of the palm with …
Chesterton’s “Gloria in Profundis”
There has fallen on earth for a token A god too great for the sky. He has burst out of all things and broken The bounds of eternity: Into time and the terminal land He has strayed like a thief or a lover, For the wine of the world brims over, Its splendour is spilt on the sand. Who is …
The Glory of the Ascension
“Hail the day that sees Him rise, Ravished from our wistful eyes! Christ, awhile to mortals given, Re-ascends His native heaven. There the glorious triumph waits, Lift your heads, eternal gates! Wide unfold the radiant scene, Take the King of glory in!” Charles Wesley “By the Ascension all the parts of life are brought together in the oneness of their …
Childermas or Kindermord
Often called Childermas or Kindermord, the Sunday between Christmas and Epiphany traditionally solemnizes the slaughter of the children of Judea by Herod. It provides focus for the Christian’s commitment to protect and preserve the sanctity of all human life—thus serving as a prophetic warning against the practicioners of abandonment and infanticide in the age of antiquity, oblacy and pessiary in …
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Rarely in one carol does an author encompass the entirety of the Redemption story from creation, the prophets, the nativity, and the eternal glory of the Triune God, but the Imperial Roman poet, Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413), skillfully weaves the redemptive narrative throughout the verses of the fine Advent poem, Corde Natus Ex Parentis. Consequently, its lyrics are also dense …
Weeping in Ramah, in Newtown; Yet, Joy to the World
Unto us is born a Son, King of choirs supernal: See on earth His life begun, Of lords the Lord eternal, Of lords the Lord eternal. Christ, from heav’n descending low, Comes on earth a stranger; Ox and ass their Owner know Now cradled in a manger, Now cradled in a manger. This did Herod sore affray, And did him …
The Five Solas of the Reformation
The “Five Solas of the Reformation” are Latin slogans used by Protestant Reformers to summarize and proclaim the essential theological distinctives of the Biblical Gospel: Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone. Sola Fide, by faith alone. Solus Christus, through Christ alone. Sola Gratia, by grace alone. Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone. 495 years ago in the little college town …
For the Beauty of the Earth
For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, …
Promises, Promises
“His divine power has granted to us all things that we need for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and goodness, by which He has granted to us His very great and precious promises.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)