a Lenten Hymn

Baptismal Font, c.500 a.d.

"Buried with Christ in death, raised to new life in Him," the refrain is spoken with each baptism.  Although each of us who were baptized know the symbolism - we die to self as Christ died for us, we are raised to life in Christ just as Christ was raised from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father - how hard it is to grow in this business of dying to self and living in Christ!   (see Romans 6:3-4)

The theme of this season of Lent has been for me just that: death to self and rejoicing in the life Christ has so perfectly provided.  Lent came up suddenly this year, it seemed, and I honestly didn't expect to be deeply affected by it, but here I am, writing a post about Lent!  That's part of the beauty of this season - and of our Lord - Christ compassionately meets us where we are.  We just need to let him work on us.

I found this hymn meaningful, so I thought I'd share it.  I particularly like the third and fifth stanzas.

Lenten Hymn
Lord, who throughout these forty days
For us did fast and pray,
Teach us with thee to mourn our sins
And close by you to stay. 

As You with Satan did contend,
And did the victory win,
So give us strength in you to fight,
In you to conquer sin. 

As you bore hunger, and thirst,
So teach us, gracious Lord,
To die to self, and chiefly live
by your most holy Word. 

And through these days of penitence,
And through your Passion-tide,
Yes, evermore, in life and death,
Jesus! with us abide. 

Abide with us, that so this life
Of suffering over-past,
An Easter of unending joy
We may attain at last!

Claudia F. Hernaman, 1873