Fulfilled Is the Promise
Fulfilled is the promise, a Savior is born;
with loud acclamation we hallow the morn!
“To God in the highest all glory,” we sing
and welcome the advent of Jesus our King!
We come like the shepherds who knelt at his feet;
we come like the wise men our monarch to greet,
our faith-star unclouded shines bright on our way,
and leads to the manger where cradled he lay.
“Goodwill from our Maker and peace unto all”;
The wonderful chorus on our ears does fall,
In grandeur and beauty still rolling along;
While valley and mountain break forth into song!
O blessed Redeemer, by prophets foretold!
We herald the story that never grows old.
Our heart’s adoration before him we bring,
and joyful hosannas to Jesus we sing!
We come with the faithful who gather today
in grateful devotion our tribute to pay;
we come with the children, our carols we bring,
and loud hallelujahs to Jesus we sing! Fanny J. Crosby
Frances Jane Crosby (1820-1915) is the best known of the writers of gospel hymns. She was blind from infancy; studied and taught at the New York School for the Blind; memorized a great deal of Scripture; and wrote over 8500 hymns. The range of topics covered in her hymns include: prayer, praise, invitation, assurance, faith, mission, the social gospel and eternal life. All of her hymns cannot be classified as gospel hymns, including the one printed above, but many of her poems were picked up by the musical evangelists and the hymn publishers and used in revival and holiness services.
In the Christmas hymn above, she reminds us that we, like the shepherds and the wise men, are led by the star of faith to the feet of Jesus. She also repeats the prophecy that Jesus will bring peace to all; that the story of Jesus “will never grow old” and must be shared again with the faithful and the children.
Fanny Crosby was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was extremely active in mission work among the poor of New York City, especially the derelicts in the Bowery area of the city.
Joyce D. Sohl, Laywoman-in-Residence
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, quarterly retreats, and art exhibits.