Martin Luther already complained about the number of holidays – just as he complained against too many fixed hours of prayer – without giving time and space to some honest work. Well, in this week of the “Ice Saints” (Eisheilige) and today the holiday of St. Boniface of Tarsus. He is the 2nd last in this row and patron saint of the latter “apostle of the Germans”. The first was martyred in a pot of molten pitch – there in Tarsus, the latter by hotheaded Friesians years later.
Well, we still have icy weather – despite glorious sunshine. Outside a proper steel frame has been fixed for the Old Latin School´s own “red rose”. Hallelujah. And I´m looking forward to another interview by my new friends from Hong Kong later. So for now we rejoice in the Lord and sing His praises for all the Saints…
]]>1 For all the saints who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!2 Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!3 O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!4 O blest communion, fellowship divine,
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!5 And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!6 The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warrior cometh rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!7 But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!8 From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
William W. How (1823-1897)
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!