I Love to Tell the Story, ELW 661
1 I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
Refrain
I love to tell the story;
I’ll sing this theme in glory
and tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
2 I love to tell the story: how pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
the message of salvation from God’s own holy word.
Refrain
3 I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
I'll sing the old, old story
That I have loved so long.
Refrain
Devotion
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, because I know it's true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
I love this hymn. It reminds me of my grandmother, because whenever she saw me singing a familiar hymn, she would say, "Close your book! If you know it, always close your book and look up!" She knew that hymns are meant to be proclaimed and didn't want to see me mumbling, buried in my hymnal.
This hymn reminds me of the great privilege we have in telling the story of Jesus, but also in telling our own story. If we know the gospel, we can't help but get it all mixed up with our own lives, vocations and neighbors. And there is plenty to tell!
Prayer
Proclaimed God, thank you for the stories of faith we come from and the stories yet to be written. We are grateful for grandparents and parents, teachers and friends, pastors and mentors who helped nurture the story inside of us and for your Holy Spirit who helps us share it with the world. Amen.