In follow up to an earlier post on this blog, we asked Dr. Paul Grime to offer his reflections.  Dr. Grime is our Dean of Chapel and professor of liturgics.  But prior to coming to CTS, he was the chief architect for our synod’s newest hymnal.  His comments are below (Stieg).

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It’s almost ten years since work began in earnest on the Synod’s latest hymnal, Lutheran Service Book. Among the many big issues that we knew would challenge us was the matter of language. What style of language would we use? An older style? An updated style? Something in between?

Just 18 months after we began, the Roman Catholic world was rocked by the release of a new instruction on liturgical language. Liturgiam Authenticam, published in late the spring of 2001, called on translators of liturgical texts to adhere more closely to the original, Latin version. I remember very well one ecumenical gathering where some prominent Roman Catholics openly worried that the liturgical reforms of the last 30 years were about to be turned back. By the tone of their voices, you wondered whether they were headed back to the stone age.

As far as our work on LSB was concerned, we felt somewhat vindicated by the direction we were taking, which was to aim for a literal translation of texts wherever possible, yet to strive for translations that weren’t stilted or wooden. Of course, that is easier said than done. Our most difficult challenge concerned the old “Page 15” service from The Lutheran Hymnal (now Setting Three in LSB). With a full one-third of our congregations still using TLH, we knew that this service needed to be treated carefully. We actually went through three or four “test” versions that we tried out in congregations that were using TLH. We toyed with updating the language and providing dual translations, but eventually settled on a fairly conservative course. For those parts of the service where text was wedded to music, we kept the text “as is,” in other words, using the archaic language as found in TLH. But, for the spoken parts of the service, we gently updated the language, something that many pastors were already doing in their spoken parts. For the most part, reception of this service has been good.

If you’re interested in reading more about the new directions in the Roman Catholic Church, go here where you can see examples of the changes that have now been approved—seven years later.

If you want to see the language guidelines that were used in the development of LSB, go here. Take a look at the discussion on page 4 concerning “Archaic and Obsolete Language.”

Paul Grime
Dean of the Chapel, CTS
LSB Project Director (1999-2007)

I recommend you take a look at this piece from NPR regarding the changes to soon take effect in the Roman Mass.  According to the commentator, the reason for some of the changes was to make the language loftier, more reverent.  Some will object to the changes arguing that the former conversational way of speaking is more relatable.

Consider this quote from Fr. James Martin:

Language is important in the spiritual life: The way you relate to someone influences the way you speak to someone, and vice versa. It’s the same with God. The way you relate to God influences how you speak to God in prayer. And your language will influence your image of God.

What are your thoughts about liturgical expression?  Lofty or conversational?  Are they mutually exclusive?

The Church gives thanks for the life and work of Rev. Jaroslav Vajda, who died in the Lord last Saturday, May 10. Vajda’s work as hymnwriter is known throughout The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (and beyond). Of his more than 200 hymns (original and translated), the following are found in Lutheran Service Book:

369 Where Shepherds Lately Knelt
371 Let Our Gladness Banish Sadness
445 When You Woke that Thursday Morning
484 Make Songs of Joy
491 Up Through Endless Ranks of Angels
593 See This Wonder in the Making
896 Now Greet the Swiftly Changing Year
910 Now the Silence
922 Go, My Children, with My Blessing
945 Your Heart, O God, Is Grieved

In most times and places, there probably isn’t much consideration about the authors of hymn texts and composers of hymn tunes and settings. And those writers probably prefer it that way, anyhow, since a good hymn points to Christ, rather than highlighting those who created the words and music. But when we do pause to consider those skilled lyricists and musicians such as Rev. Vajda, we can be thankful for their work of putting words and tunes into our mouths and lives.

Concordia Publishing House has a fitting tribute on their website HERE.

Our first winner is Peter Ahlersmeyer for the following entry to our contest. We are giving away 2 beautiful personal leather-bound editions of the Lutheran Service Book. Go here if you would like to read about the contest.  We will announce our second winner in two weeks.  Congrats Peter!

“Now the Light Has Gone Away” is indeed my favorite hymn in the hymnal. Why is it? Let’s start with the history of it. Growing up every night as my mother would tuck me into bed she would sing me this song. It was never a song that I knew, but rather something my mother introduced to me. It had a catchy lullaby tune and seemed like a short little song that got past down generation after generation. In fact I didn’t know it existed in the hymnal until around high school when I was just flipping through and stumbled upon it. It was then I examined the lyrics (which I always thought were pretty generic) more closely. The great thing about a hymn like this is how easily accessible it is even to little kids. It isn’t loaded with special meanings and language and vocabulary that were used long before I was born. It speaks the language of a child. The hymn is essentially a prayer that asks for forgiveness, a fresh start, Christ to be with loved ones, and thanksgiving. We see throughout the Bible that Jesus took the children and always encouraged them and showed so much love for them.

And this hymn reiterates the love that Christ shows on us. It is something every little kid needs to hear and even more so adults. It is amazing how a hymn so simple can be so uplifting. I can’t be thankful enough to have parents that helped plant the seed of everlasting faith in me and being taught that hymn as a child has helped me up until this very day. As it will continue to be my source of inspiration as I prepare for my life of service not only in the Church but in the world. I hope that you too take the time to focus on this hymn and learn the words. It is a great nighttime prayer but it is also a great song for the many struggles one does encounter in life. I can’t wait to be able to share this special hymn with my children some day just as it was shared with me as a child.