May 13, 2012 - Hymn Spotlight

There's a Spirit in the Air (Brian Wren)

     British minister and hymnist Brian Wren (b. 1936) wrote There’s a Spirit in the Air in 1969, at the church where he served as minister.  About the hymn, he writes: “Our hymnal had several hymns about the Holy Spirit’s gifts to the believer...but almost none speaking of the Spirit’s work in the world or in creation....All the churches felt a reawakening sense of God’s work in society, and needed to connect Sunday worship with Monday morning.”
     The text speaks of the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our world, where we are called to show Christ’s love through care of the hungry and homeless.  Unusually, the hymn employs two alternating refrains, instead of the customary single refrain:

• “Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working in our world.”
• “God in Christ has come to stay.  Live tomorrow’s life today.”