The hymns will be much sweeter and deeper when you learn the biblical historical background behind them. It was encouraging to learn what the Holy Spirit was doing in the heart of those who wrote the hymns. What a blessing! Thank you Leeman family.
Much sweeter and deeper when you learn the biblical historical background – Sebastian
Hello, I just purchased your hymn book, Our Hymns, Our Heritage. I’m so excited to begin learning from it and teaching our children hymns and their originals. I would venture to say this is needed in every English-speaking Christian home.
So excited to begin learning from it – Haig S
We have a group of 1st-6th grade kids who will be learning and singing many of these hymns as part of our Sunday School curriculum. Thank you for your ministry in making these wonderful resources available to churches!
Thank you for your ministry – Melissa H
I received the Piano Accompaniment book and I LOVE it. It has helped increase my piano skills in the Hymns arena. I am a classical-trained pianist and hymns are so different from classical music. I have had a desire to learn hymns but have never enjoyed the way the hymn books are arranged. The arrangements in the book have given me many different ideas on how to tackle the hymns of faith, which I dearly love. I hope to play a hymn or two at our church in the near future.
Received the Piano Accompaniment book and I LOVE it – Cathy
I am incredibly impressed with the hymnals and the piano recordings are nothing short of incredible. Praise God for blessing you with these talents, and this non-musically inclined mama so appreciates you sharing your talents. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
The hymnals and the piano recordings are nothing short of incredible – Megan M.
My husband and I are recently retired and the Lord has called us to serve at a very young church plant in San Antonio, TX. We first read about Hosanna Hymnals in World Magazine and decided to investigate for ourselves. Once the hymnal arrived at our home we decided to add the hymns to our regular evening routine. It has made our time of meditation on God’s Word so much richer and has earned a permanent spot in our evening Scripture reading! So much so that we decided to share the wealth of enjoyment of praising God with our new church group. We purchased the twelve hymnals for our life group meetings so we could join together in truth filled songs of worship. Thank you for providing such an important resource for the body of Christ.
Thank you for providing such an important resource for the body of Christ. – Gina S.
“Effectively compiled, this inspiring, informative collection of Christmas hymns is an essential resource, rejoicing the hearts of those who envision themselves as participants in the incarnation narrative. Emphasizing the church year, Hosanna in Excelsis invigorates the inner spirit, bringing expectation, fulfillment, and light to our darkened world.”
Loren Wiebe, Emeritus Professor of Music, Biola University
One of the most encouraging trends of recent years is the recommitment of God’s people to family worship. Hosanna in Excelsis is ideal for family devotions during the Christmas season, providing the stories behind beloved carols, while presenting the music in a lovely form. What a treat to families to read these stories and sing these songs during the Christmas season! Hosanna in Excelsis will also be valuable to pastors in connecting God’s people to our heritage of faith in celebrating Jesus’ birth. David and Barbara Leeman have opened their hearts and poured forth the beauty of God’s gift of His Son. Their wonderful book will inspire hearts and inform minds, prompting to our Savior the songs of joy that His coming deserves.
Richard D. Phillips, Senior Minister, Second Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC
David and Barbara Leeman have done it again. Their newest hymnal, Hosanna in Excelsis—a collection of carols and devotions for the Christmas season—unlocks the riches of the rescue mission we call the incarnation. Each hymn is accompanied by three sections: ‘Text’ (on the background of both author and song), ‘Tune’ (on the melody), and ‘As You Sing This Hymn’ (practical application for thought and life). What a terrific resource to help families and churches lift their voices to the King in the manger, resting in the shadow of a cross.
Matt Smethurst, Managing editor, The Gospel Coalition
My parents passed on to me a heritage of faith in Jesus Christ and a love of music that are both fed by this devotional. I have used more than a dozen advent devos over the years, always trying to find something meaningful, clear, and fresh to keep the true meaning of the season from being pushed to the back of the Christmas bus. This book contains historic background on both the author of the words and the composer of the music, which is fascinating by itself. In addition, the actual staff and [treble clef] notes for the tune are on the facing page, which enables me to learn some of the less familiar carols. Nice! But what is making it my new favorite is that the last paragraph of each entry, focusing on the spiritual aspect of the day’s topic, is so well written. Not shallow or trite, not priggishly theological, but insightful, keen, and helpful in reminding me of the true meaning of the season. Quite well done, bravo.
New Favorite Christmas Devotional
Christmas carols with individual short histories of their composition and contemplations of the message of the carols themselves.. many familiar carols, and some new ones. The summarized biographies of the authors and composers were quite interesting too. I really appreciated the concern with the biblical accuracy of songs… the author of The First Noel probably wasn’t very well instructed in the Bible, as they had the Shepherds see the star, which the Bible does not indicate. Most of all, I really liked how they really wanted you to contemplate what you are singing, that you are not just singing for nostalgia but proclaiming profound truths/concepts. In the contemplation of one of Charles Wesley’s carols they comment, “As is characteristic of the hymns of Charles Wesley, every phrase is packed with Theology and allusions to or quotations of scripture. Reading each one before you sing will give you a deeper appreciation of songs written from Scripture rather than simply from personal experience or emotions.”
Good Reminder That What We Are Singing About at Christmas Is Profound
I really like this book, this is not merely a sentimentally pleasing look at Christmas Carols, it directs ones thought truly to the implications of what these songs are addressing, which brings more than sentimentality.
Hosanna in Excelsis is a unique combination of hymns and devotions for the Christmas season. I like the layout of this book. It is divided into three main categories: Hymns of Advent, Hymns of Nativity, and Hymns of Epiphany. Each category includes a selection of hymns, a history of each hymn, and a devotional relating to the hymn. The daily readings are dated from November 25th to January 6th. The book exposed me to several hymns that I had not previously been familiar with. Many Christmas devotional/advent books abruptly end on December 25th. The January 6th end date of this devotional allows me to continue the journey past Christmas Day. I look forward to using this devotional every year during the Christmas season to help prepare my heart for Advent.
Excellent Book for an Advent or Christmas Season Devotional
The history of Christian music is 2,000 years deep and a whole world wide. This collection of carefully selected songs and hymns connects children and their parents with generations of Christian voices who have fallen silent yet still speak through the musical heritage preserved for us today. Our Hymns, Our Heritage is a must-have for family devotionals and a treasure to pass on to the next generation.
Janie B. Cheaney, Senior Writer, WORLD News Group
Psalm 145:4 proclaims, ‘One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.’ Our Hymns, Our Heritage reminds us that we stand on the spiritual shoulders of those who came before us, but equally challenges us to pass the faith once given on to the next generation. To this end, Barbara and David Leeman have given the church an extraordinary, multi-use resource. At one and the same time a hymnal, hymnal companion, and devotional guide, Our Hymns, Our Heritage seeks to foster the love of singing God’s praise for generations to come. I heartily commend this hymnal to churches, families, Christian schools, Sunday schools, choirs, and anyone who seeks to love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Colin Howland, Director of Music, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA
What a stewardship we have received in the church’s heritage of hymnody—a gift that we must not fail to pass on to the coming generations. That is why I am delighted that Barbara and David Leeman have edited this hymnal. While their intended audience is elementary children, believers of all ages will find soul-stirring edification in these pages. The Leemans offer us a twofold service. They have curated an excellent collection of many of the finest hymns in the English language, and they have provided brief, illuminating, devotional material to make these songs come alive in our hearts. I commend this excellent resource for families, churches, and schools, praying that the Lord would tune your hearts to sing his praise.
Matt Merker, Director of Training for Getty Music; hymn writer, “He Will Hold Me Fast;” Author, Corporate Worship
This hymnal is such a fantastic resource, and so important in passing down the great hymns of our Christian faith to children and grandchildren. We particularly love the ‘backstory’ about the composers and poets who created these great works– a terrific way to encourage young people that like these ‘ordinary’ people, perhaps they, too, could put their faith into words and music. And the suggestions for how to approach the singing of each hymn brings out the rich content of these musical pillars, beyond just praise and worship, as expressions of the Gospel and the foundations of our faith. We’re purchasing several copies to give to our own kids and grandkids, and feel so good about making sure the next generation(s) carry on these incredible , time-tested professions of adoration and Biblical truths. Hallelujah!
Important To Pass On To The Next Generation Of Christians!
This is a nice hymnal for our homeschool use. Its design is more minimalist than the previous hymnals released by this company, but the cost effectiveness for a school or group of students is the trade-off. Thanks for another lovely hymn product to help me keep the little humans under my care grounded.
Lovely, Economical Multi-Student Oriented Hymnal
The hymns will be much sweeter and deeper when you learn the biblical historical background behind them. It was encouraging to learn what the Holy Spirit was doing in the heart of those who wrote him. What a blessing! Thank you Leeman family.
Learn your heritage!
This is our second of these hymnals, and I’ll probably get more so that our whole family can use them. I appreciate the background to the text and tune, as well as the devotional section. It’s a good selection of favorite hymns, in a book that’s easy for the kids to use. Our church hymnal is vast and heavy – this has fewer hymns but in the best way for our elementary ages kids. A great addition to our homeschool!
Great Student Hymnal