26. Christ, whose glory fills the skies
Charles Wesley, 1707-88
One of the greatest morning hymns in the English language, based on Mal. 4:2: “But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” James Montgomery called it “one of Charles Wesley’s loveliest progeny.” It pictures Christ as the true Light and the Sun of Righteousness triumphing over the darkness of sin and grief.
Charles Wesley was the second youngest in a family of nineteen children and became the “sweet singer of Methodism.” He and Isaac Watts were the most important hymnists of the 18th century in England.
For further comments on Wesley see [Hymn 6].
MUSIC. LUX PRIMA is by the French composer, Charles F. Gounod, 1818-93, a musician of a deeply religious nature. Gounod had taken two years of theology with the expectation of becoming ordained, but later decided that his greatest contribution to religion would be through music. His outstanding religious work is the oratorio, The Redemption. While composing it, he used to spend hours in Notre Dame Cathedral in prayer and meditation. LUX PRIMA is a stirring tune, building up to a climax at “Day-star,” and is widely used as a processional.