CMP Review 2025-03-13

March 13, 2025

Each term we select a new hymn to learn and sing together. Usually I choose a piece from Hosanna, Loud Hosannas, a beautiful student hymnal by Barbara and David Leeman. This term, however, my daughter wanted to learn a hymn we had never sung before.

She chose “Depth of Mercy” by Carl M. von Weber. It took us a few weeks to pick up the unfamiliar tune and it took me a while to absorb the meaning of the words. Then on Saturday, the first Saturday of Lent, it dawned on me that this lovely hymn is about repentance and forgiveness. My daughter could not have chosen a more fitting hymn for the penitential season.

Also I have continued my daily contemplations from The Cloud of Witness. The readings are always edifying, but this week’s on temptation are especially profound. Along with our hymn study, this normal habit of my life has drawn me deeper into the spirit of Lent.

I see this as a blessed outcome of adopting the practices that Charlotte Mason recommended. Whether reading to your children from The Golden Key (now back in stock at Riverbend Press), singing hymns together, or following a lectionary for private daily Bible reading, these habits naturally point the heart to the spiritual season of the year, whether Advent, Christmas, Easter, or Lent. And if these are not yet part of your family’s life, this is a great time of year to start.

@artmiddlekauff