Text: Isaiah 6
Hymn: 507, Holy, Holy, Holy
Kretzmann Commentary: Isaiah
Bonus bumper: Praetorius, Jesaja Dem Propheten Das Gaschah, Mass for Christmas Morning.
That Isaiah lined up with the Thursday after Trinity and “Holy, Holy, Holy” is a wonderful divine coincidence. Thanks be to God.
I love Isaiah 6 for several reasons. For all our desires to see the supernatural, Isaiah’s reaction to the six-winged seraphim reminds us that holy angels can frighten our unholy selves: see the Anunciation of Gabriel to the Virgin Mary in Luke 1:30 and the angels’ report to the shepherds in Luke 2:10. Let’s be careful what we wish for!
I also like the confession of unclean lips. Been there too often.
Our sin also is atoned for, not with hot coals but with wood and nails, blood and water, death and resurrection. Only then are we sent out, with deeds prepared by God and made good in Christ.
Holy, Holy, Holy
- Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! - Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shall be. - Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity. - Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea.
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!
