Celtic Dreams

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Celtic dreams of long ago

Though long silent – dead,

The haunting melodies forged of war

Still echo through modern head.

The eerie whine of bagpipe strains

Still stir the long-forgotten soul;

Irish green and Scottish pride

Still burn in descended clansmens breasts.

Ethereal sounds find outlet

In pipe and drum and strings still live

A song of battles won and lost

Of love so strong passions still revive

What drives this Celtic Revival

The unending breath of God.

I wrote this poem several years ago, musing on our Celtic forefathers.  We all owe our forefathers a debt of gratitude for their fortitude that got them through tough times of the past to bring us into the present times we now inhabit.  This leads me to one of my favorite hymns:

Faith of Our Fathers

Frederick W. Faber, pub.1849 v. 3 alt. copyright status is Public Domain

1. Faith of our fathers, living still,

   In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;

   Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy

   Whene’er we hear that glorious Word!

   • Refrain:

     Faith of our fathers, holy faith!

     We will be true to thee till death.

2. Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,

   Were still in heart and conscience free;

   How sweet would be their children’s fate,

   If they, like them, could die for thee!

3. Faith of our fathers, we will strive

   To win all nations unto thee;

   And through the truth that comes from God,

   We all shall then be truly free.

4. Faith of our fathers, we will love

   Both friend and foe in all our strife;

   And preach thee, too, as love knows how

   By kindly words and virtuous life.

It’s been said that good hymnody is good theology.  I think this hymn fits that statement if we really take time to meditate on the thoughts embodied in it. It was based on Hebrews chapter 11, known as the faith chapter of the Bible.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony

 It all boils down to faith; believing God for what was promised even when you can’t yet see.  You personally may not have had a father that was faithful to God, but chances are there are men of faith in your ancestry!  If not, you can be the first to follow God’s command to live in faith and spread the gospel.  

I pray we all overcome in the name of Jesus, by His blood and righteousness.  Also that we would be true to Him and keep our eyes on the Heavenly prize God has prepared for those who trust in Him.  Remember, Christ is the Word and God’s Word is true. Yes, it IS worth holding on and walking in faith and victory, for we have a great prize we’re striving toward!

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame…by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.