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Christmas Hymns: Now the Silence/Then the Glory - Page 3

© John L. Hoh, Jr.

Vajda ends his brief hymn with a benediction, starting, oddly enough, with the Holy Spirit. As the creeds state, the three persons are "co-equal and co-eternal." Vajda also tells us when these blessings are ours: "Now/Now/Now." We are not only looking for the vague, sometime in the future eternity, but we know God works in our lives even now, creating a new life as he works through Word and Sacrament.

Then the Glory

Then the glory
Then the rest
Then the Sabbath peace unbroken
Then the garden
Then the throne
Then the crystal river flowing
Then the splendor
Then the life
Then the new creation singing
Then the marriage
Then the love
Then the feast of joy unending
Then the knowing
Then the light
Then the ultimate adventure
Then the Spirit's harvest gathered
Then the Lamb in majesty
Then the Father's Amen
Then
Then
Then

I realize I am using a hymnal edited by others. Is it possible these two hymns were meant to be part of a complete hymn? Are there other hymns/verses following this pattern extant?

This hymn looks forward to the coming Kingdom after the Judgment Day. And Vajda uses the images Jesus used in his parables on heaven.

The opening lines refer back to creation. The Sabbath peace refers to the seventh day when God rested from his creation activity. The word "Sabbath" is actually a Hebrew word meaning "rest;" it does not mean Saturday. Which day of the week we choose for our Sabbath rest is not mandated by Scripture. It is a foretaste of our eternal rest in heaven.

The garden, the throne, and the river hearken back to the Garden of Eden, when mankind ruled the earth with God and the rivers flowed peacefully through the garden. In an arid area like Palestine, a garden and a flowing river meant there was enough water for raising crops and nourishing the fruit of the earth. It represents an oasis from the desert of life.

"Then the marriage." In Hebrew society a marriage took place when a son finished building his house that would house his bride and him, and soon any children they may have. That was a prerequisite for marriage. But could the bridegroom just slap together a "tar paper shack?" No! His father had to inspect and approve that the house met his standards to shelter his potential grandchildren. Only then could the marriage take place. When Jesus finishes preparing a place for us, he will return and marry his bride, the Church. And with a wedding comes a feast-this time a feast of joy unending!

Jaroslav Vajda

Carl Flentge Schalk

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