One of my favorite Christian hymns down through the years has been “To God Be the Glory.” It was written by Fanny Crosby who lost her sight when she was only 6 weeks old. She was known as the “Queen of Gospel Song Writers” as she wrote other great hymns like “Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine,” “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior,” “Rescue the Perishing,” “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross,” “Close to Thee,” “Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home,” and “I Am Thine, O Lord.”
As we approach Christmas this year, I am thinking about this great hymn for two simple reasons:
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The Greatest Gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Fanny Crosby chose to begin her hymn with the familiar words, “To God be the Glory, great things He hath done! So loved He the world that He gave us his Son.”
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The Generous Gifts of all of you who support our Seminary Students. It is simply amazing what a difference you have made over these past 15 years in your support of those preparing for a lifetime of service to Jesus Christ. One seminary student told me recently, “I never dreamed that I would have received such generous support from individuals whom I have never known.”
So as we come closer to Christmas, we can lift our voices and sing enthusiastically the chorus of Fanny Crosby’s hymn, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory, great things He hath done!”
Brenda joins me in wishing for each of you a very Merry Christmas!
- Karl K. Stegall