Lent Devotional – Hymns of the Passion

Thursday, March 27

By: Nancy Carmon

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

John 17:1-5

While I was in Reykjavik, Iceland. I visited a beautiful church—Hallgrimskirkja. It’s quite unique. Iceland is a Christian, largely Lutheran country. I found a book of poetry written in the 1600’s and translated into English called Hymns of the Passion. The Icelandic people love this poetry and use it extensively on many occasions. The poems are even put to music for hymns and read daily during Lent on the National Radio System.

Christ Goes to the Garden

Up, up, my soul, and all my flesh!

Up, up, my heart, and sing afresh.

My thoughts and tongue help me find words

To preach the passion of our Lord.

At last grief pierces me within

How little my devotion is!

That Christ is cursed in my own place

Yet rarely I recall his grace.

Jesus, your Spirit, grant to me.

So all may to your glory be

Sung, written, spoken, all I do

So others may be nourished too!

Prayer

May words awaken our souls that we experience the wonder of Easter anew. Amen