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Hymn of the Day for December 17
“Lost in the Night” ELW 243
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” Apparently, the Pharisees did not trust him. In this story from John 1:6-8, the Pharisees send a team of inquirers to the river to question him. They say, “Who are you? Are you Elijah? Are you the prophet? What do you say about yourself? And WHY are you baptizing?” This gives John just the invitation he needs to quote Isaiah 40:3 (we just heard that last week) saying, “I AM the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord” John is using mere river water to baptize. He says, “Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.”
Our Hymn of the Day for Advent 3, focuses on that “one who is coming after me”, as John the baptizer said. “Lost in the Night” is a haunting hymn of longing for morning to come and vanquish the dark night’s despair. I love how this ties ancient themes of our northern hemisphere’s increasing hours of darkness, at this time of year, to anticipation of the coming of light to pierce our literal darkness. As Christians at this time of year, we joyfully anticipate Christ the LIGHT coming into the world, not just as God, but as incarnate God born as are all human beings of a human mother. Christ grew up, ate, slept, learned, taught, breathed, and lived as all human beings do in this life. His life, however, was quite extraordinary and in it’s fullness saved us all. That is exactly what “Lost in the Night” calls to our attention. It is a plea for help; the help of daylight “Will not day come soon? Will you help us soon? Christ is coming soon!”, and “Come and save us soon!”.
The basis of this hymn is a Finnish love song. Although it seems to have originated in Finland, it made it’s way all through Scandinavia throughout the 1800s. In 1877, At least some part of that was used by 18th century hymn-writer; Lina Sandell (Sweden: 1832-1903). Then in the 1930s Olav Lee (Norway: 1859-1943) translated it from Norwegian with some text in the last two stanzas by Olga Kullgren (Sweden 1849-1909). Olav Lee came to study at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He served as a pastor in North Dakota. He taught at Augustana College in Canton, South Dakota and St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He translated hymns for F. Melius Christiansen and the St. Olaf Choir.
The melody for this hymn comes from the region of Karelia, now part of Russia, but originally in Finland. It first appeared in print in 1857 as a Finnish love song. No other tune in ELW stars like this one, with an upward minor sixth; G up to Eb, (G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb - count six!). When sung, it makes for a very haunting melody. The tune is in the key of c minor. All of this coupled with such text as “languish”, “sighing”, “anguish”, “sorrowing”, and “shadows” makes for a darkly dramatic sonic painting of a desperate plea for Christ to come soon!. Stanza 4 reassures us of the immediacy of the arrival of Christ’s light. “Light o’er the land of the needy is beaming: rivers of life through its desserts are streaming, bringing all people a Savior redeeming. Come and save us soon! Come and save us soon!”
Peace!
Deacon Gary Butler
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