By H. E. Singley, organist

The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us.

With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession

up to the horns of the altar.

Psalm 118:27, NIV

On one of my first journeys to Latin America to participate musically in several city-wide evangelistic efforts, the first day in one location featured a parade on a bright, sunny morning with hundreds of believers joining in a festive march through the village. Many bedecked themselves with brightly hued clothing distinctive of that region. At the front of the procession were homespun but obviously carefully made banners with verses like John 3:16 and invitations to attend the evangelistic rallies which were to commence that evening. That adventure reshaped earlier recollections I had of parades (such as marching in the Tournament of Roses parade as a tuba player in my high school band).

At College Church, we also think of the festive banners which have graced our sanctuary through the years, representing remarkable skill, a palpable labor of love and a personal sacrifice of praise by the late Marge Gieser. Those exquisite “festal banners” draw our attention to the themes of Scripture as we are gathered for holy worship.

Some of our most familiar hymns have numerous words or phrases which point us to a passage of Scripture or even a particular—and possibly quite personal—memory we associate with our Christian pilgrimage. “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” has a phrase which accomplishes just that, “Your festal banner wave on high.” This phrase often brings to mind the joyful procession I just mentioned in the highlands of Guatemala so many years ago. Then, those words lead me straightaway to the next phrase, “The cross of Christ your King.” We have the privilege of marching in the triumphal procession of our Lord—not ourselves as the triumphant ones—but as slaves of the One who conquered sin and death on the cross. That cross is our “festal banner!”

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues

to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession.

II Corinthians 2:14a, NLT

The poet who wrote “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart” was Edward Plumptre, an English biblical and theological scholar educated at King’s College, London, and Oxford University. He became a professor of pastoral theology and Bible exegesis while serving as a pastor. He wrote sacred poetry and translated earlier hymns. Arthur Henry Messiter was born in England and composed the hymn-tune commonly associated with this text, Marion. He came to the United States while in his twenties. Here, he served in the pastoral ministry of music for over thirty years.

Rejoice, ye pure in heart,
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your festal banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King.

Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing!

Bright youth and snow-crowned age,
Strong men and maidens fair,
Raise high your free, exulting song,
God's wondrous praise declare. (Refrain)

With all the angel choirs,
With all the saints on earth,
Pour out the strains of joy and bliss,
True rapture, noblest mirth! (Refrain)

Yes, on through life's long path,
Still chanting as ye go;
From youth to age, by night and day,
In gladness and in woe. (Refrain)

Still lift your standard high,
Still march in firm array;
As warriors through the darkness toil
Till dawns the golden day. (Refrain)

Maybe one or more of these phrases will especially stand out to you when you sing this hymn on your own or as part of the singing congregation:

“Bright youth and snow-crowned age, strong men and maidens fair . . . . God’s wondrous praise declare . . . .”
“. . . . all the angel choirs . . . .”
“. . . . all the saints on earth . . . .”
“. . . . in gladness and in woe . . . .”
“. . . . through the darkness toil till dawns the golden day.”

Christians of all ages—together with choirs of angels and every saint around the globe, whether in good spirits or deep affliction: press on to the golden day of final redemption! And, rejoice!

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive

the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:14, NLT

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Philippians 4:4, NLT

IDEAS FOR LISTENING

Listen for the melody of the hymn-tune throughout.
The music reflects three of the five stanzas in Hymns for the Living Church, each in a different key, each with some difference in style.
Sing the hymn–words AND music–even if you’re by yourself!