“And Can It Be?”

The theme for today, the twenty-third day of the “Light the World” 2017 Christmas initiative sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is

“I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”

***

In that connection, this was a spectacularly good idea, and I hope that it will spread even further next year (and perhaps throughout the year):

The Deseret News:  “Light the World initiative’s charity vending machines raise $469K”

The effort has gained national attention:

“Mormon Church ‘Vending Machines’ Take in $500K in Donations”

My wife and I saw the machines in Salt Lake City a few nights ago, but the lines were too long (and our time too short) for us to be able to contribute.

We can, however, still give:

https://www.lds.org/topics/humanitarian-service/help?lang=eng&old=true

And please don’t forget these noble causes:

Operation Underground Railroad

Liahona Children’s Foundation

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I’m grateful to a reader of this blog who goes under the name of “Mayhem Mike” for calling my attention yesterday to Dan Forrest’s setting of a text (“And Can It Be?”) by Charles Wesley, magnificently, powerfully, performed by the choirs and orchestra of Brigham Young University – Idaho.

I wasn’t previously acquainted with it, but . . . well, listen to it.  Please.  And please hear it to the end.

It’s not precisely a Christmas carol, but it’s wonderfully centered on the Savior and, thus, perfectly appropriate to the season:

1. And can it be that I should gain
   An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
   Died He for me, who caused His pain—
   For me, who Him to death pursued?
   Amazing love! How can it be,
   That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
   • Refrain:
     Amazing love! How can it be,
     That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
2. ’Tis myst’ry all: th’ Immortal dies:
   Who can explore His strange design?
   In vain the firstborn seraph tries
   To sound the depths of love divine.
   ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
   Let angel minds inquire no more.
3. He left His Father’s throne above—
   So free, so infinite His grace—
   Emptied Himself of all but love,
   And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
   ’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
   For, O my God, it found out me!
4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
   Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
   Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray—
   I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
   My chains fell off, my heart was free,
   I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
5. No condemnation now I dread;
   Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
   Alive in Him, my living Head,
   And clothed in righteousness divine,
   Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
   And claim the crown, through Christ my own.