The Luther Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Saturday, 21 November 2015 "God Pause Daily Devotional" "Lift High the Cross" ELW 660

The Luther Seminary of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Saturday, 21 November 2015 "God Pause Daily Devotional" "Lift High the Cross" ELW 660

Refrain:

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,

Till all the world adore His sacred Name.

1. Led on their way by this triumphant sign,

The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.

Refrain:

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,

Till all the world adore His sacred Name.

2. Each newborn servant of the Crucified

Bears on the brow the seal of Him Who died.

Refrain:

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,

Till all the world adore His sacred Name.

3. O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,

As Thou hast promised, draw the world to Thee.

Refrain:

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,

Till all the world adore His sacred Name.

4. So shall our song of triumph ever be:

Praise to the Crucified for victory.

Refrain:

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,

Till all the world adore His sacred Name.

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Before becoming a pastor I worshiped at a Lutheran church that has a very tall cross in front of the entrance to the building. When I say tall, I mean really tall--the cross stands about fifty feet high and can be seen from a great distance. The early members of the congregation must have taken to heart the saying, "Go big or go home!" The cross makes a quiet, albeit very apparent statement that this place is home to a Christian faith community. The cross also proclaims the victory over sin by Jesus our Savior. The cross points to Jesus' triumph over death and the grave and reminds us that we too are free from death's sting. It is no wonder that this hymn became the favorite hymn of the congregation. It was sung on all festival Sundays and a few Sundays in between. However, the cross was more than a landmark. By placing that cross in a conspicuous place, the congregation did "lift high the cross" and every day they continue to proclaim Christ's love and sacrifice to all who see it.
Crucified King, help us to proclaim your love and mercy to everyone we meet. May we lift up the cross of glory by our deeds and actions. Amen.
Tracy Hinkel
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Northglenn, Colo.
Master of Divinity , 2009
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