Monday, April 28, 2008

The Kite Runner

Tonight, Amy and I watched The Kite Runner. I found it to be a very deep and beautiful story. Beautiful? But, it's a movie of such violence and silence! Grace is woven all through the film. It is beautiful how Hassan refuses to hit Amir, even after he is pelted by his best friend in an effort to move him to attack him for his cowardice. I find it fascinating how the son of Hassan continues his work of redemption...even as he is being saved. I find it interesting how the Amir, whom we never see pray in the film before, is brought to a place of prayer. There's so much to this film.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Easter, Day 17 of 50

Trying to stay in the rhythm of Easter is difficult, especially since it doesn't get the attention it deserves from the surrounding culture like Christmas does (and that cultural celebration/observance is placed in Advent rather than Christmastide). I found this hymn this morning that is beautiful. The tune wasn't something I was familiar with so I used the trusty "Sing to the Lord" hymnal and cyberhymnal.org to try to find some melodies that are more familiar to our Christian tradition so we could sing this wonderful hymn. Its meter is LM, which can be sung to the tune of "When I Survey the Wonderful Cross." I find this a very interesting juxtaposition especially considering that "When I Survey" is focused on the cross, and this hymn is about resurrection. The hymn can also be sung to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." I think it is good to be able to cross the tunes from the seasons, especially from Christmas because of its joyfulness. There is also tune from "Jesus Shall Reign" that works well. This hymn is really great and I hope that it ministers to you as it did me.

Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.

Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching every place and time.

Not throned above, remotely high,
untouched, unmoved by human pains,
but daily, in the midst of life,
our Savior with the Father reigns.

In every insult, rift, and war
where color, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died.

Women and men, in age and youth,
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
revealed in Jesus, freed for all.

Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring
with joy, with justice, love, and praise.

Words: Brian Wren