SUNDAY PRAISE -- JESUS, THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE

Hello, friends.  Happy Sunday!  It is a beautiful sunny day here, even though it is cold.  I'm so glad since we are expecting snow tonight and all day tomorrow.

Today's opening hymn is "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee".  The words were written by Bernard of Clairvaux who lived from 1090-1153.  He is considered a saint by the Catholic Church and was an abbot and doctor.  He fills one of the most conspicuous positions in the history of the Middle Ages.  His father was Tecelin, a very brave knight, who was the friend and vassal of the Duke of Burgundy.  Bernard was born at his father's castle in Les Fontaines, near Dijon in Burgundy.  He was educated at Chatillon where he was known for his studious and meditative habits.  His mother died in 1105 and Bernard chose to live out his life as a monk.  Along with his uncle and two of his brothers, he entered the monastery of Citeaux, the first Cistercian foundation, in 1113.  Two years later he was sent as the head of twelve monks to found a daughter monastery because the original one was becoming so overcrowded.  They succeeded in doing this in the Valley of Wormwood about four miles from the Abbey of La Ferte which had also been founded by the original monastery.

Bernard led a fascinating life and was involved in many of the decisions faced by the Medieval church of his time.  It is well worth taking the time to read about him whether you agree with his theological views or not.  He died in 1153 at the age of 63.  We have many of his writings.  The two hymns that he is best known for are "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" and the one we are singing today.

The tune is called "St. Agnes" and was written by John Bacchus Dykes who lived from 1823 to 1876.  This tune was first published in 1866.  He named the tune after a young Roman Christian woman who was martyred in A.D. 304 during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian.  She was sentenced to death for refusing to marry a nobleman saying she already belonged to Christ and would not leave Him.

John Dykes was born in Hull, England the fifth child and third son of William Hey Dykes, a shipbuilder and banker and his wife, Elizabeth Bacchus.  By the age of 10 he was the assistant organist at St. John's Church in Hull where his paternal grandfather was the vicar and his uncle was the organist.  He also played the violin and piano.

There is so much about him in the Wikipedia article I looked at.  Another fascinating life.  I am putting the link HERE for you if you want to read more about him.

And now let's listen to this beautiful hymn.

I'm off to get ready for church.  Have a beautiful day today.

Kathy