Scripture References:
st. 1-3 = 1 John 1:5-7
st. 3 = Mal. 4:2
Written by William W. How (PHH 279), this text was originally called "O One with God the Father." It was published in the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge's Church Hymns (1871), of which How was editor. Because the "One" in the original tide seemed very impersonal, the first line was altered to strengthen the reference to Christ.
The controlling metaphor in this text comes from Jesus' own words, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12; light is an important metaphor for Christ throughout John's gospel). The three stanzas of this text constitute a prayer in which we confess that Jesus is the light (st. 1), that we see "but dimly" (st. 2), and that we need the light of Christ to illumine our way (st. 3).
Liturgical Use:
Epiphany; any service that focuses on the "light of the world" theme.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
William W. How (b. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, 1823; d. Leenane, County Mayo, Ireland, 1897) studied at Wadham College, Oxford, and Durham University and was ordained in the Church of England in 1847. He served various congregations and became Suffragan Bishop in east London in 1879 and Bishop of Wakefield in 1888. Called both the "poor man's bishop" and "the children's bishop," How was known for his work among the destitute in the London slums and among the factory workers in west Yorkshire. He wrote a number of theological works about controversies surrounding the Oxford Movement and attempted to reconcile biblical creation with the theory of evolution. He was joint editor of Psalms and Hymns (1854) and Church Hymns (1871). While rec… Go to person page >
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