The early pages of the 2017 Christian Science Hymnal provide a helpful introduction to this volume. Although fewer than three pages long, the Preface items amply explain the spiritual and practical rationale for the 173 hymns in the book.
Wonderfully, the hymns were sourced internationally from 43 different countries! Maybe you recognize some of the names here as contributors to the Christian Science periodicals or members of your congregation.
From Bible times, people have sung praises to God, and a passage from Colossians 3:16, and quoted in the Preface, provides a fine impetus for continuing that practice: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
Points of interest in this hymnal -
1. There were 'two priorities' for the compilers: 'metaphysical clarity and musical excellence' (p. iv).
2. The choices uphold the requirements of the Church Manual - see page 61 - including the quality of dignity, which one dictionary defines as 'the state or quality of being worthy of honour or respect'.
3. Page turns have been 'avoided by presenting longer hymns in a simplified version, showing the melody and words only' (ibid). You can find the complete score in the Appendix at the back.
4. Hymns in languages other than English - from Danish to Zulu - are listed on page 382.
All praise to the compilers of this extraordinary gift to the world. And huge thanks to the musicians who contributed to the CD/USB Flash Drive. The outstanding musicality, joy and dignity make this a timeless blessing.
For anyone wishing to download a FREE copy of the Concordance to this hymnal, check out this link.
Julie Swannell
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