"We, as on one stem growing, living branches are in thee."

"We, as on one stem growing, living branches are in thee."
Hymn: “Christian Hearts, in Love United” – Nicolaus L. von Zinzendorf (1700-1760)
Typical Tune: CASSELL

There was a time when only scripture was sung in church, particularly the Psalms. Over the years, we have branched out way beyond versified Bible passages – WAY beyond. Denominational and personal theologies are wound into our public singing, sometimes giving us better insights into scriptural truth - at other times further obscuring our understanding!

As a hymn-writer, I am glad the church employs “hymns of human composure,” allowing for the creative expression of our beliefs in singable word structures. However, it is always refreshing as I am singing or reading a hymn-text when I come across an obvious statement of or allusion to scripture – which is the case with today’s hymnline.

In this very old text, John 15:5 is restated for us in a fresh way, clarifying the agricultural teaching of Jesus who said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Zinzendorf’s text has been translated from the German to say it like this: “We, as on one stem growing, living branches are in thee.” Whatever differences we may have in our theology and our practice, we are attached to one Stem – that being Christ himself – and out of that symbiotic relationship, we draw life… and we branch out, bringing others to be grafted with us into the Stem.

You and I share branch-hood with one another; this is more commonly called fellowship… or to be sexist: “brotherhood.” We are reliant, however, on being spliced into our common Stem, without which there would be no life in the branches… and alas, no tree! After all, fellow limbs: our children’s children will need shade and nourishment, too.


This hymn played as a postlude… complete with people milling-around! As usual, no one notices how much time she put into preparing this piece.