For a while, I’ve contemplated doing a series of my favorite hymns. Hymns have long been some of my favorite worship songs, but they are often under appreciated, especially by some of the younger generations in the church. They have often been lost in the demand for more ‘contemporary’ worship, especially in the last 30 years or so.

Obviously, I have finally decided to do this series. There’s really two things that pushed me to it – the first, Anna Tan’s A-Z Challenge theme for this year; the second, an amazing rendition of a hymn I heard on YouTube.

Anna is doing ‘The A to Z of (mainly) Worship Songs‘, and even though it’s early on in April at the moment, I’m very much enjoying her series.

I decided not to participate in A-Z this year, and I’m glad I made that decision, but Anna’s theme got me itching to do my hymns series.

So, I’m doing it. But only once a month. Currently, I’m going to aim for the first Sunday of each month starting now and going through the rest of the year, which makes for nine hymns in all.

I hope, as we go through these, you will find new, historical songs that you love – or revisit old favorites along with me.

Enjoy!

The Old Rugged Cross

I had no idea of the history behind this hymn until I started looking into it for this post.

It was written in 1913 by Rev. George Bennard after he was ridiculed when he spoke at a revival meeting. He researched everything he could about the cross, and this song was the result of it. A detailed article about the history of this hymn is available at the South Bend Tribune.

This rendition is performed by Kaoma, and he is doing a barbershop quartet… with himself.

Wasn’t that beautiful?

What’s even more beautiful, though, is the love Christ had for us – so much so that He was willing to die on the cross for us. And ultimately, it isn’t the cross that holds the power of our salvation – it is Christ’s resurrection and triumph over death!

He is risen!

Happy Easter!