openhagen laughed and danced
while the Danish fleet was being destroyed by English warships and the
capital city itself was being bombarded by the enemy.

In 1810 he preached his famous probation sermon on the striking theme,
"Why has the Word of God departed from His house?" The sermon produced a
sensation, and from this time Grundtvig came to be known as a mystic and
fanatic. His career as a pastor was checkered, but throughout his life he
exerted a powerful influence by his literary activity as well as by his
preaching. His poetry and hymns attracted so much attention that it was
said that "Kingo's harp has been strung afresh."

Grundtvig's strongest hymns are those that deal with the Church and the
sacraments. The divine character of the Church is continually stressed,
for Christ not only founded it, but, as the Living Word, He is present in
it and in the sacraments unto the end of time. "Built on the Rock, the
Church doth stand" is probably his most famous hymn. Grundtvig was more
concerned about the thought he was trying to convey than the mode of
expression; therefore his hymns are often characterized by strength
rather than poetic beauty. They are also so deeply tinged by national
spirit and feeling that they lose much of the color and fragrance of
their native heath when translated. That Grundtvig could rise to lyrical
heights is revealed especially in his festival hymns. There is a charming
freshness in the sweet Christmas hymn:

Chime, happy Christmas bells, once more!
The heavenly Guest is at the door,
The blessed words the shepherds thrill,
The joyous tidings, "Peace, good will."

O let us go with quiet mind,
The gentle Babe with shepherds find,
To gaze on Him who gladdens them,
The loveliest flower of Jesse's stem.

Come, Jesus, glorious heavenly Guest,
Keep Thine own Christmas in our breast,
Then David's harp-strings, hushed so long,
Shall swell our jubilee of song.

The Danish hymnologist Brandt has pointed out the distinctive
characteristics of his country's three great hymnists by calling
attention to their favorite symbols. That of Kingo was the sun, Brorson's
the rose, and Grundtvig's the bird. Kingo extols Christ as the risen,
victorious Saviour--the Sun that breaks through the dark shades of sin
and death. Brorson glorifies Christ as the Friend of the spiritually poor
and needy. They learn to know Him in the secret prayer chamber as the
Rose