It is a thing most wonderful

We sang this on Sunday evening and I found it very moving. I hadn't heard it or sung it for years and years, but it did my soul good. It is essentially a children's hymn (or is so listed), but surely a hymn is a hymn is a hymn?

We are told to come with child like faith aren't we? Sometimes... no, much of the time we over complicate our salvation and make it a complex literary task to decipher the bible. In fact, in truth the gospel message is so so simple... so simple even a child can understand.

It is a thing most wonderful,

Almost too wonderful to be,

That God’s own Son should come from Heav’n,

And die to save a child like me.

And yet I know that it is true;

He chose a poor and humble lot,

And wept, and toiled, and mourned, and died,

For love of those who loved Him not.

I cannot tell how He could love

A child so weak and full of sin;

His love must be most wonderful,

If He could die my love to win.

I sometimes think about the cross,

And shut my eyes, and try to see

The cruel nails, and crown of thorns,

And Jesus crucified for me.

But even could I see Him die,

I could but see a little part

Of that great love which, like a fire

Is always burning in His heart.

It is most wonderful to know

His love for me so free and sure;

But ’tis more wonderful to see

My love for Him so faint and poor.

And yet I want to love Thee, Lord;

O light the flame within my heart,

And I will love thee more and more,

Until i see Thee as Thou art.

William Walsham How (1823 - 97)