Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, ELW 836
1 Joyful, joyful we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before thee,
praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
2 All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heav'n reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird, and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in thee.
3 Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine!
Devotion
This week’s lessons have taught us how to love each other. The commandments, which Moses, with his shining face fading, brought down the mountain, lifted us with joy divine up the Mount of the Transfiguration to hear the very voice of God! What have we learned? How shall we see and hear in these dark days?
I love the suggestions in the classic movie, “E.T.”:
“Turn on your heart lights!
Let them shine wherever you go!
Let them make a happy glow
for all the world to see!”
Like a liturgical chant, the extra-terrestrial heard the call from above: “E.T., phone home!” Now we might use e-mail or Facebook or Twitter, but we must pray for that which is most important at the most important times in our lives and relationships, especially in our marriages and families. Martin Luther wasn’t teaching or writing for just Germans or future Lutherans when he lifted up and encouraged grace-filled love shining through all of us!
“There is no more lovely, friendly and charming
relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” - Martin Luther
Prayer
Loving God, shine upon each relationship blessed and cherished this Valentine’s Day as we listen to, hear and do your will and see your Light. Amen!