Bright and Beautiful

“God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”—Genesis 1:31

Words were important for Cecil Alexander. As a girl in Ireland, she wrote poetry in her school journals. As an adult she showed her concern for disadvantaged people by traveling long distances to visit the sick and poor, providing food, warm clothes, and medical supplies. Cecil and her sister also founded a school for the deaf.

She continued to spend much of her time writing. Her first book of poetry was A Christian Year. Providing a resource for children, she wrote hymns based on key days in the church year, all written in simple language.

One of her most endearing hymns called “All Things Bright and Beautiful” focused on the beauty of creation. She described how God made “all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful.”

He created “each little flower” and “each little bird that sings.” He made the glowing colors of each creature. He made the mountains and rivers. He made the cold of winter, “the pleasant summer sun,” as well as the ripe fruits in the garden. We see the hand of God in the “tall trees” and “the meadows where we play.” He made them every one.

Then He made it possible for all of us to share in these glories, giving us eyes to see and “lips that we might tell how great is God Almighty.”

Pause for a moment to think about God’s creation. Thank Him. Praise Him.

Reflection Question: What is your favorite part of God’s creation and why?