May Jesus Christ be Praised!

MAY JESUS CHRIST BE PRAISED!

               What is your theme song for 2014?  What is the song that will play in your head over and over again? Sometimes circumstances or people set our theme song.  More often, I think God sets it, bringing those people and circumstances into your life.  I think I have my theme for the year—May Jesus Christ be praised!  That song first captured me in 1971 when my grad school roommate used it as her wedding processional.  With every step down the aisle, I heard “May Jesus Christ be Praised.”  I thought of what a marriage would be based on that theme.

               That song has come again, perhaps because I recently saw that roommate.  It has possessed my thoughts and focused my mind.  May Jesus Christ be Praised.  I want it to be my theme for the year.  I have printed out the verses and sung them and read them repeatedly.  May they be your theme as well.

When Morning Gilds the Sky by Katholisches Gesangbuch

When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When you begin the day, O never fail to say,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
And at your work rejoice, to sing with heart and voice,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this at meals your grace, in every time and place;
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, when day is past, of all your thoughts the last
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When mirth for music longs, this is my song of songs:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall, this rings my curfew call,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When sleep her balm denies, my silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest, with this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

                                                                                          ~~Faith Himes Lamb