Morning has broken! I admit that I am NOT a morning person, but I do love a beautiful sunrise. I just wish it could happen a little later in the day. Nevertheless, I’ve managed to witness some amazing works of art on God’s canvas that is the morning sky – not even enhanced by a cup of coffee, since I’m not a coffee person either. I first heard the song entitled “Morning Has Broken” as a pre-teen, listening to a Cat Stevens vinyl album at my grandparents’ house. At that time, I had no idea about the history of the song and that it was actually a hymn published in 1931 in the second edition of Songs of Praise. (I hope you will take the time to listen to the song here and see the lyrics displayed. I can’t print the song for copyright reasons, but I can share the link.)
It was in that year, 1931, that Eleanor Farjeon was asked to write a poem to fit the Scottish Gaelic tune “Bunessan.” Apparently, there was a need in the songbook for a hymn to give thanks for each day. The results of Eleanor’s endeavors became the song “Morning Has Broken,” made popular by Cat Stevens in 1972. Her lyrics were inspired by a passage in Lamentations, a passage of hope and light buried in the middle of words of despair and darkness. “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.'” (Lamentations 3:21-24)
Every new morning that God gives us is a new beginning. Each day that He allows us to rise with the sun is a chance for us to become better than we were the day before. It’s another chance to forgive, to make amends, or to show kindness to our neighbors. Every new day is a time to learn something new and a time to recognize new blessings. It’s a chance to find hope and healing for the issues plaguing our country and our world. It’s a chance to know the hope and peace that comes from following God’s will. Every dawn is a time of renewal and a reminder of God’s faithfulness. His mercies are truly “new every morning.” Even though I am not a morning person, I recognize the beauty and significance of every sunrise.
Currently, there is another song that reminds me of the value of each new day and the reasons to be thankful for it. Check out “Alive & Breathing” by Matt Maher. My favorite lines from the song are these:
Joy still comes in the morning. Hope still walks with the hurting. If you're still alive and breathing, praise the Lord! Don't stop dancing and dreaming. There's still good news worth repeating. So lift your head and keep singing. Praise the Lord!
“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b)
Morning has broken! So if you’ve woken, it’s time to praise the Lord!
Enjoy a few more beautiful sunrises below!
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. Genesis 1:3
I to am a Morning person like Susan, watching the Sun coming up gives me hope that the Day will be wonderful an awesome. If it isn’t I’ll have the strength to hope for tomorrow. Your Pictures are absolutely Beautiful Dana, Thank You, Love Vickie❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Vickie! I appreciate your comments! ❤️