On the 12th Day of Christmas Past,
Question: Why could the hymn “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee” be considered a Christmas hymn?
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“Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee”
“Before Christmas passes, take a few moments to reflect deeply of the Savior, His life, His teachings, and His atoning sacrifice like in these poignant lyrics which bring sweet peace to all who rest their faith in the Lord.
Words to “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee” in today’s Latter-day Saint hymnal:
Jesus the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see
And in thy presence rest.
Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the mem’ry find
A sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Savior of mankind!
O hope of ev’ry contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind thou art!
How good to those who seek!
Jesus, our only joy be thou,
As thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now,
And thru eternity.
“When much of the world was blanketed in despair during what is known as the Dark Ages, Bernard of Clairvaux wrote the lyrics to “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.” He was one of the most influential spiritual leaders of his time, a man who kings and dignitaries turned to for counsel and advice. His gift of words in his sermons and writings impacted Europe’s religious landscape for centuries and remain relevant to this day. In addition to making contributions through the written and spoken word, Bernard was integral in the establishment of several monasteries across Europe.
Bernard of Clairvaux was one of the most interesting and influential people of his time. Born in what is now considered France at Fontaines near Dijon in 1090 or 1091, his father, Tecelin or Tesselin, was a knight who died in the First Crusade. His mother was very influential in his love of seeking the peace of Christ and the scriptures, his love of Jesus and the devotion to Jesus’ Passion were based on a direct experience of Christ’s love. Bernard was very studious and meditative. At his mother’s death he founded a monastery and devoted his life to Christ. Throughout his life he founded 160 monasteries throughout Europe. He was so passionate in spreading the light of Christ that he neglected his own needs and became described as a skeleton. Illness plagued him most of his life but did not stop him or cause him despair.
“Jesus, the very thought of thee,” was originally written in Latin, “Dulcis Jesus memoria.” Originally the poem was 42 stanzas long; during the 15th century it was extended to 51 stanzas.
Eventually this poem became a part of the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. The feast of the Holy Name of Jesus has been celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church, at least at local levels, since the end of the fifteenth century. The celebration has been held on different dates, but usually 1 January, which commemorates eight days after we celebrate Christ’s birth when baby Jesus was publicly named; as recounted in the Luke 2:21, “at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” Although it isn’t classified as a Christmas carol it very well could be with its connection to the naming of the Christ Child and the light of Christ it has expressed to the world for over 900 years!
After the second crusade, Bernard returned to Clairvaux, where he died in 1153. He was the author of many spiritual writings; over 500 of his letters and sermons have been preserved to this day. These writings offer great understanding of the period’s history as well as insight into his character. He was an inspiration to Martin Luther who called him “the best of monks.” One of Johannes Sebastian Bach’s favorite songs was another Bernard wrote, “Oh Sacred Head Now Wounded.” Bernard was canonized as a saint in 1174.
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