Who is this Host Arrayed in White, LBW 314 & ELW 425
1 Behold the host arrayed in white like thousand snow-clad mountains bright, that stands with palms and sings its psalms before the throne of light!
These are the saints who kept God's word; they are the honored of the Lord.
He is their prince who drowned their sins, so they were cleansed, restored.
They now serve God both day and night; they sing their songs in endless light.
Their anthems ring when they all sing with angels shining bright.
2 On earth their work was not thought wise, but see them now in heaven's eyes; before God's throne of precious stone they shout their vict'ry cries.
On earth they wept through bitter years; now God has wiped away their tears, transformed their strife to heav'nly life, and freed them from their fear.
For now they have the best at last; they keep their sweet eternal feast.
At God's right hand our Lord commands; he is both host and guest.
3 O blessed saints, now take your rest; a thousand times shall you be blest for keeping faith firm unto death and scorning worldly trust.
For now you live at home with God and harvest seeds once cast abroad in tears and sighs.
See with new eyes the pattern in the seed.
The myriad angels raise their song.
O saints, sing with that happy throng; lift up one voice; let heav'n rejoice in our redeemer's song!
Devotion
At funerals words of sympathy and hugs are in order. We all lean on friends at such times. But to know that a departed loved on has actually gone to be with Christ is far more important. How do those who believe that this world is all there is cope with death? We cannot imagine it. Instead we can say: "We will be neighbors in the heavenly Jerusalem. We will see her/him again." Our hymn has other lines we may recite in full assurance that they too are true. All Saints should be one of the chief festivals of the Church, alongside Easter. We all have super with loved ones who are no longer with us, but they are awaiting our arrival. Meanwhile, we can always ask our living Lord to tell them that we love them still.
Prayer
Lord, today we remember with deep thanks the many loved ones who are now with you, but absent from us. We cannot imagine what life would have been without them. We long for reunion, but not just yet. Amen.