Issue link: https://discover.cph.org/i/1235784
vii INTRODUCTION We sing what we love. We love what we know. And much of what we know and love we learned in childhood. This is especially true of hymns and songs that are impressed on our minds and hearts early and stay with us throughout our lives. It is imperative, there- fore, that we give our children the very best hymns and songs of the Church. These are hymns that let us proclaim to one another and the world our need for a savior and God's work of salvation. These hymns teach us again and again the details of salvation's story. And they help give voice to our praise and thanksgiving in joyful response to God's sav- ing work through His Son, Christ Jesus. There is no greater thing about which to rejoice, and no greater thing to teach our children. This collection of hymns and songs for children aims to do no less. The psalms, liturgies, prayers, and hymns were carefully selected with guidance from teachers and Church musicians to be appropriate for children but never to sacrifice theological depth, poetic beauty, or musical excellence for the sake of triteness or sentimentality. About one-third of the hymns and songs are drawn from Lutheran Service Book and constitute a core of Lutheran hymnody. The remaining hymns and songs come from the best of existing Christian hymnody alongside newly written hymns and songs that promise to be worthy and enduring. Special care has been taken in the selection of music as well, with consideration given to historical importance, pedagogical value, and appropriateness for children's voices. To foster the growth of the singers as musicians, various settings allow for a progression of artful unison singing, two- and three-part canons, and four-part chorale harmonizations. It should be noted that the guitar chords are, in most cases, not intended to be played with the corresponding keyboard accompaniment. It is our prayer that children will come to know and love what is presented in this hym- nal, singing the faith day by day and year by year, proclaiming with joy God's wondrous work of salvation in Christ to one another and to the world. Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice, With exultation springing, And with united heart and voice And holy rapture singing, Proclaim the wonders God has done, How His right arm the vict'ry won. What price our ransom cost Him! 244:1 - PREVIEW SAMPLE - ©2020 Concordia Publishing House