Now Thank We All Our God

Giving thanks in all things is not easy. It is just a little more than half over, but when I look back over 2006, it does not look to be one of our best years.

Mostly we're beset with petty, daily worries. Sometimes we are given heavier burdens. We enjoy happy times with our friends and quiet peace by ourselves. We are sustained daily by prayer and devotion.

One of my favorites is the hymn I selected for our wedding:

Now thank we all out God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom His world rejoices;
Who from our mother's arms
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.

Oh, may this bounteous God
Thro' all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us
And keep us in His grace
And guide us when perplexed
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given,
The Son and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven:
The one eternal God,
Whom earth and heaven adore!
For thus it was, is now,
And shall be evermore. Amen.

Thank you, Martin Rinckart.