The Church's Jubilee

“Jubilee” 1 a special anniversary, especially one celebrating twenty-five or fifty years of something. 2 In Jewish history, a year of emancipation and restoration, kept every fifty years. Perhaps the church’s jubilee could be Pentecost Sunday, since this is her birthday. For independent congregations it could be the anniversary of their establishment—their annual home coming. The Church of God Reformation Movement conducted annual camp meetings for many years, in which they celebrated their heritage and sang the many wonderful hymns written by their gifted musicians. Many Churches have annual conventions and lectureships in which they celebrate by being together and sharing their progress. Such occasions are times of joyful fellowship and worship. I’m not suggesting that the church establish an annual jubilee on the order of the Jewish celebration, but I do lament the absence of celebration and worship in the church and suggesting that it be restored. For years I have been deeply moved by Charles Naylor’s The Church’s Jubilee, which has stirred many hearts and caused many minds to consider the need for Christian unity and worship. On this, our National Independence Day, as we celebrate our freedom, I share this great hymn with you. Rejoice and celebrate with me on this special day. Lacy

The Church’s Jubilee

1. The light of eventide now shines the darkness to dispel,The glories of fair Zion’s state ten thousand voices tell;For out of Babel God doth call His scattered saints in one,Together all one church compose, the body of His Son.

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2. O church of God, the day of jubileeHas dawned so bright and glorious for thee;Rejoice, be glad! Thy Shepherd has begunHis long-divided flock again to gather into one.

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3. The Bible is our rule of faith, and Christ alone is Lord,All we are equal in His sight when we obey His word;No earthly master do we know, to man-rule will not bow,But to each other and to God eternal trueness vow.

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4. The day of sects and creeds for us forevermore is past,Our brotherhood are all the saints upon the world so vast;We reach our hands in fellowship to every blood-washed one,While love entwines about each heart in which God’s will is done.

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5. Oh, blessed truth that broke our bands! In it we now rejoice,While in the holy church of God we hear our Savior’s voice;And gladly to His blessed will submissive we shall be,And from the yokes of Babel’s lords from henceforth we are free.

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