Near the Cross

When we pull out "Near the Cross" for rehearsal, there is usually a quiet shift in the room. This is one of those deeply grounding hymns that strips away all the noise and brings us right back to the foot of Calvary. The words ask for something simple but profound: to stay close to the place of Christ's sacrifice, where the "healing stream" flows free for everyone.

In our parishes, this piece naturally finds its home during Lent and Holy Week. It is especially moving on Good Friday during the Veneration of the Cross, as the congregation shuffles forward in the quiet church. The melody is gentle and unhurried, giving the choir space to sing with real tenderness. You can feel the shift from the quiet plea of the verses to the steady, rising hope of the chorus, looking forward to the day our souls find rest "beyond the river."

Singing it in four-part harmony brings out a wonderful warmth, especially in the lower voices during the refrain. It is not a song that needs heavy accompaniment or vocal acrobatics; its power lies in its absolute sincerity. When we sing "In the Cross, be my glory ever," we are reminding ourselves and the whole congregation of the very center of our faith.