Joyful,
Joyful We Adore Thee
Narrative by D. A. Sharpe
Music is one of the emotions
in creation that can move hearts to exceptional heights. Music at our wedding included a chorus
from Ludwig van BeethovenÕs 9th Symphony, composed
1822 Ð 1824. Later, in 1907 Henry van Dyke composed words
to that chorus into a hymn that has found places of joy in Christian worship in
churches all over the world. Its
original title was ÒThe Hymn of Joy.Ó Over the years, it became entitled, ÒJoyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,Ó taken
after the first line of the hymn.
Suzanne and I were married at
Canal
Street Presbyterian Church, September
30, 1962, services conducted after Sunday worship by Senior Pastor Dr. Robert
A. Pitman and my Presbyterian Pastor father, the Rev. Mr. Dwight Alfred Sharpe.
On the URL youtube.com, there
is a unique display of this move of joy, entitled, ÒA Little Girl Plays for A Street
Musician and Gets the Best Surprise in Return.Ó
The scene is a lone little
girl on the square just outside that famous All SaintsÕ Church, Wittenberg, Germany, immediately in front of the Wittenberg Doors! They are famous as the location where Martin
Luther nailed his Ninety-five theses on October
31, 1517, which served as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. (pardon me for my Roman Catholic friends for mentioning this) This scene was played out on June 14,
2017.
This little girl begins the
music on a small flute. One by one,
other classically skilled musicians Òshow upÓ to join her, finally including an
orchestra conductor, complete with exaggerated, but inspiring movements. The growing crowd becomes a choral
symphony choir, thrilling the gathered audience of hundreds, joining in the
singing in this flood of joy!
I encourage you to click on
the U-Tube hyperlink above to enjoy a superlative raising of your heart and
soul.
Suzanne and I have enjoyed
this recollection of fond memories about our marriage from well over 50 years
ago, we wanted to share its magnificence with you.
Yours in Christ,
805 Derting Road East
Aurora, TX 76078-3712
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