This Hymn follows the story of those at Sea, looking for the lights of the Harbor.
The Lighthouse represents God, who is always reaching out for us, but the 'Lower Lights' are the Lights of the Town.
When Philip Paul Bliss wrote this song he was on a ship, and all the lights in town had been put out for the night.
This song was his Prayer because the Lighthouse only says that there is land and ships need to be careful. The 'Lower Lights' are used to know exactly where the safety of the harbor is and where to guide the ship.
I love this song because it shows how Each of us need to 'Let our Light Shine', and help others reach the Safety of the Gospel.
In a recent post you asked what our favorite Christmas song was. They all mean so many things that to choose a favorite is impossible, however "In The Bleak Midwinter" is one that I find particularly and hauntingly beautiful, and the last verse is very inspiring:
What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart.
The heart is often used to describe the sum of our innermost desires, including our carnal desires. Giving our heart to our Lord can mean giving up the carnal desires (insert any sin here) that can keep Jesus Christ far from our hearts. A prophet-king named King Benjamin explained it as "putt(ing) off the natural man and becom(ing) and saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord" (The Book of Mormon, Mosiah 3:19).
This Christmas season, and always, may we resolve to take anything out of our lives that would block our Savior and Redeemer out of our hearts.
We may not be able to give much, but that much we can give to Him who loves us so deeply. He will then be able to make much more of us than we would be able to ourselves.
"Brightly Beams Our Fathers Mercy" - Hymn 335
ReplyDeleteThis Hymn follows the story of those at Sea, looking for the lights of the Harbor.
The Lighthouse represents God, who is always reaching out for us, but the 'Lower Lights' are the Lights of the Town.
When Philip Paul Bliss wrote this song he was on a ship, and all the lights in town had been put out for the night.
This song was his Prayer because the Lighthouse only says that there is land and ships need to be careful. The 'Lower Lights' are used to know exactly where the safety of the harbor is and where to guide the ship.
I love this song because it shows how Each of us need to 'Let our Light Shine', and help others reach the Safety of the Gospel.
Elder Barnes,
http://foundationsofpeace.blogspot.com
In a recent post you asked what our favorite Christmas song was. They all mean so many things that to choose a favorite is impossible, however "In The Bleak Midwinter" is one that I find particularly and hauntingly beautiful, and the last verse is very inspiring:
ReplyDeleteWhat can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart.
The heart is often used to describe the sum of our innermost desires, including our carnal desires. Giving our heart to our Lord can mean giving up the carnal desires (insert any sin here) that can keep Jesus Christ far from our hearts. A prophet-king named King Benjamin explained it as "putt(ing) off the natural man and becom(ing) and saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord" (The Book of Mormon, Mosiah 3:19).
This Christmas season, and always, may we resolve to take anything out of our lives that would block our Savior and Redeemer out of our hearts.
We may not be able to give much, but that much we can give to Him who loves us so deeply. He will then be able to make much more of us than we would be able to ourselves.