I recently posted John Chrysostom’s Paschal Homily. That 1600 year-old sermon reminded me of something more recent. Oh how I miss singing this hymn every week with my Lutheran brethren.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Power, riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
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Written only in 1975, this Eucharistic hymn is based on Saint John’s vision in Revelation 5. Like John Chrysostom’s homily, it is a celebration of Christ’s victory, not only over death, but in death.
I love this hymn (and the text on which it is based). I believe that when the church worships, it it truly one. There is really only one worship service in heaven and earth, and by God’s grace we get to participate in it. We, in our own little congregations with our weak voices and hesitant musicians, are actually part of that great choir that surrounds the throne of God. When we sing the words that John has recorded for us, we are joining our voices with the angels.
[BTW, while the hymn was written for the 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (i.e., the “Green Book”), it is also found at number 638 in the United Methodist Hymnal. Hint, hint, fellow UMs.]
Mitchell Lewis 