Saint John the Evangelist

So it's the third day of Christmas, already observed here a few hours ago, but it is also the feast-day of Saint John the Evangelist.  John, who may or may not have been the disciple known as "beloved," also wrote one of the four Gospels, some of the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation, which came to him in a vision while he was on the island of Patmos (pictured above in a 1640 painting by Nicolas Poussin). 

By all your saints still striving,
For all your saints at rest,
Your holy name, O Jesus,
Forevermore be blessed!
For those passed on before us,
We sing our praise anew
And, walking in their footsteps,
Would live our lives for you.

Praise for the loved disciple,

Exiled on Patmos' shore;

Praise for the faithful record

He to your Godhead bore;

Praise we the mystic vision

Through John to us revealed,

May we, in patience waiting, 

In your own heart be sealed.

We pray for saints we know not,
For saints still yet to be,
For grace to bear true witness
And serve you faithfully,
Till all the ransomed number
Who stand before the throne
Ascribe all power and glory
And praise to God alone. 

Horatio Bolton Nelson, 1864; alt.
Tune: LLANGLOFFAN (7.6.7.6.D.)

Welsh melody, from Hymnau a Thonau, 1865




Seven Years Ago: Saint John the Evangelist

(Also) Seven Years Ago: John Goss

Six Years Ago: Saint John the Evangelist

Three Years Ago: Saint John the Evangelist