Holy Week

This is such a spiritually significant week. Yesterday the children processed down the main aisle in our church waving their palm branches, and vividly connected us with THE story that changes the world. Yes, it really happened - Jesus Christ entered the city of death and new life for us. And every step of the way we can share with him this week. Even though I do not come from a strongly liturgical tradition I always try and relive each day this week with Scriptures, prayers and (of course) gathered worship on the great days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and (hallelujah) Easter Sunday. At no other time in the year can we walk so closely with our Savior. It really is the most important week ever!

Yesterday we sang a hymn that I had not heard for some time. As it tells something of the story of this week it makes it personal, and I shall use it each day. May this be a spiritually deepening week for you too.

My song is love unknown,
My Savior's love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I,
That for my sake
My Lord should take
Frail flesh, and die?

He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed-for Christ would know:
But oh, my Friend,
My Friend indeed,
Who at my need
His life did spend.

Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then "Crucify!"
Is all their breath,
And for His death
They thirst and cry.

They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they save,
The Prince of life they slay.
Yet cheerful He
To suffering goes,
That He His foes
From thence might free.

In life, no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have;
In death, no friendly tomb,
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say?
Heav'n was His home;
But mine the tomb
Wherein He lay.

Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King,
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend,
In whose sweet praise
I all my days
Could gladly spend.