The Joyful Shout

Blog post – December 23, 2024

I was so weepy all Sunday morning.

Mainly it was the deeply moving and beautiful song which starts out, “My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout.” Our hymnal (and thankfully I have this hymnal at home) tells us that the “world is about to turn.” The title of the song is actually “The Canticle of the Turning.” It uses an “energetic Irish folk song” as the melody (yes, my name but not spelled that way), and is basically Mary lifting her thoughts to God after being told by the angel that she would be bearing a special child.

But for me it brought back to life my father’s deep deep call to do what he could to help others—to save the world, if that doesn’t sound like too big of job. Here on Monday morning it again speaks to me of our Dad (and Mom, who was his right-hand-woman all her life and beyond). The tears just eek out of my wet eyes. It is also the season of course, of remembering our many loved ones who are no longer with us.

In our congregation alone, it keenly brought back our loss of six members who passed on to glory this year. Our loss. Their gain, glory be to God.

Dad was born to be a farmer, like many of his generation, worked hard all his life until he could work no more but along the way his call to other farmers to help raise corn and wheat and whatever to share with “needy people” around the world by starting a farm for the entire community to till, plant, and harvest. And then he invested money himself to go with Mom to see the countries where the food was going so it could satisfy his curiosity that it was indeed reaching the “hungry peoples of the world” as he used to pray, (using his awkward 8^th grade education in sharing his yearning with others). He was a Conchie, (conscientious objector who served almost four years). I was reminded of this in the World War II book I am currently reading, so he was mocked for that in a difficult, horrible war. We still pray and long for an end to all violence and war, dear God.

I think I was also weepy thinking of our grandchildren, and particularly that we had just spent 3 days deeply involved with our youngest grandchild in “babysitting” as her parents tried to work at home. This grandchild was especially welcome for the whole family just because she turned out to be a girl (at last, after five wonderful boys!). She is at the stage where she wants to “help” or asks for “help” and cries madly if and when she is shuffled off to bed. There is more playing to be done, of course. Reading books and singing along with verses that we know. Doing little dancing jigs. (Irish?) It was a glorious time and spoke to me that I am now of the generation where I must also help see that my grandchildren are raised and taught to be good people, no matter what.

I’m still crying, see my red eyes?

No, that’s good you can’t see me. I’ll be fine and knowing that we too must do what we can to impart wisdom and energy and faith and good will to the world. The hymn ends with a strong message “Though the nations rage … we remember who holds us fast … till the spear and rod can be crushed by God who is turning the world around.”

Again, wishing you thoughtful holidays and love shared around tables, in backyard football fun, opening gifts large and small, hugs and kisses for one and all. Amen.

***

For more on my father and mother, perhaps you would enjoy our family memoir book. If you haven’t already read it.