Hymns

In church Sunday we sang old hymns. The classics.

Our church tends to mix it up a bit between the classic traditional hymns and more of the praise music. I generally enjoy the praise music more, but there is really something to be said for the traditional hymns of the faith.

I grew up in the Reformed tradition. The Christian Reformed Church has a song book called the Psalter Hymnal. The one I grew up with was blue. (At some point during the late 70's early 80's the CRC re-did the hymnal and gave it a new cover...a red one. It was not well recieved...the Dutch like their tradition.)

I do think there is great merit in teaching our children the hymns of the faith. The standard good solid hymns. The ones that teach Biblical truth and concepts. There is something to be said for the tried and true.

I can remember that about twice a year our night services at church (yes, we had two on Sundays...Morning service with Sunday School either before or after church depending on which one you attended and then Night church followed by bowls of cereal or leftovers from lunch for dinner or youth group, depending on what age you were. Ask any Dutch person...you will get the same story...no lie.) would be Hymn Sings. Good Old Fashioned Hymn Sings. As in all you did was sing. There was occassionally a short sermon, but in all it was all about the songs.

And here is the incredible thing. The church organist...she could play any song in the hymnal...that was her gig. She could play ANY of those over 300 songs. Can you imagine. And she could play it while the congregation was singing. Shoot, I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time. (kidding)

What also amazes me is that even now...years later...even though I now belong to another denomination, just hearing those opening bars and take me back. I still know all the words too...and believe me I sing it out at church.