The Day of Pentecost is one of the principal feasts of the Church, and a day when baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection is especially appropriate. The Holy Spirit is given to us in Holy Baptism, to empower us to follow Christ in this life. Hymns for Pentecost, then, focus on that oft neglected theological locus: pneumatology. We need more hymns about the Holy Spirit!
Eternal One, Come Dwell in Me
This Pentecost hymn is set to Hancock’s overlooked St. Mary Magdalene, a lovely tune that is paired with a marriage text in The Hymnal 1982. The flowing nature of the tune pairs nicely with the flowing and overlapping nature of this text, and seems appropriate as we sing about the Spirit that blows where it chooses (John 3:8). The Spirit in this text is referred to with many names: Eternal One, Eternal Breath, Eternal Flame, and Eternal Dove. This hymn would also be appropriate as an ordination hymn.
I am grateful to Earth & Altar Magazine for publishing a version of this hymn in February 2020.
Eternal One, come dwell in me,
and lift my heart to heaven to be
in union with the Trinity,
and feel your breath of love.
Eternal Breath, breathe life in me,
and make my spirit pure and free
to serve your people steadfastly,
aflame with heavenly love.
Eternal Flame, ignite in me
a voice alive with hope to speak
your word that makes all people free
to soar on wings of love.
Eternal Dove, take flight in me;
reveal salvation’s history:
that Jesus died upon a tree
but rose because of love.
Eternal One, come raise us now
to be the Church, by you endowed
with power to love for we are now
your people saved by Love.
Words: Mark Nabors (b. 1990)
Music: St. Mary Magdalene, Gerre Hancock (1934-2012)
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Storied Grace 