4:13 Podcast: Jennifer Sings the Hymn of St. Patrick Over You and Your New Year [Episode 330]

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And now here we go for The 4:13.

KC Wright: Welcome to the 4:13 Podcast for this special end of the year New Year episode. I'm KC. Welcome. On today's episode, you're going to get a little history and a lot of blessing, because Jennifer is going to sing the Hymn of St. Patrick over you as a blessing to kickstart your new year. So settle in and let's get started.

Jennifer Rothschild: Yeah, let's get started, 4:13 family. We're so happy that you are hanging out with us right here between last year and next year. 2024 has been a wonderful year.

KC Wright: Yes.

Jennifer Rothschild: And next year, 2025, around here we are calling it 20 20-thrive.

KC Wright: Thrive.

Jennifer Rothschild: Yeah. Well, I am Jennifer, as KC said. And obviously, that was KC Wright. And he's my co-host, my Seeing Eye Guy. And today we just want to bless you with a song. But before you hear this song, you need to know the backstory, which includes some of the history of St. Patrick, because what I'm about to sing is taken from the Hymn of St. Patrick.

KC Wright: It's really fascinating, this story about St. Patrick. He's known as the Patron Saint of Ireland; but his life story, extraordinary. It's a lot more than just a four-leaf clover and wearing green on March 17th, I promise you that. Just hang around with us. You're going to be so encouraged.

Jennifer Rothschild: Yeah. We reduce St. Patrick to that image of the leprechauns. But here's the real story. Okay, St. Patrick, he was born in Britain. So he wasn't even Irish. He was born in Britain in the late 4th century, and his life took this terrible, dramatic turn when he was kidnapped by Irish raiders, and then he was brought to Ireland as a slave.

KC Wright: Then he eventually escaped back to Britain. And what's inspiring is that he chose to return to Ireland later in life. But it wasn't for revenge. No. He returned to be a missionary.

Jennifer Rothschild: Which is why we know who he is now. So his impact then, obviously, was profound; and his legacy even now, it lives on, especially through this Hymn of St. Patrick, which is also, by the way, known as St. Patrick's Breastplate.

So, KC, thanks to your buddies -- who are my buddies also -- Google and ChatGPT, you can give us a little bit more insight into this hymn. Okay?

KC Wright: Yes. It's a beautiful prayer for protection called lorica. All right, class, let me explain.

Jennifer Rothschild: Lorica.

KC Wright: A lorica is a type of ancient Irish prayer or chant, and it's usually using God for protection. Isn't that interesting?

Jennifer Rothschild: Yeah.

KC Wright: Right?

Jennifer Rothschild: Yeah.

KC Wright: So in this Hymn of St. Patrick, he's asking for the power of God, emphasizing divine strength, wisdom, and protection all around him. That is why we wanted to bless you with this as we enter 2025 together. Hand in hand, right?

Jennifer Rothschild: Right.

KC Wright: We need God's power and protection; we need his presence and power to surround us and support us.

Jennifer Rothschild: Yeah. Thank you very much, Professor KC.

KC Wright: Thank you.

Jennifer Rothschild: So the lyrics of this hymn that you're about to hear, they are just so inspiring, and they express faith and reliance on God. And so I just love how it reflects the assurance that God is right there. His constant companionship is always with us.

KC Wright: And it's still relevant today. The hymn is a reminder of spiritual strength. So as you listen to our girl Jennifer Rothschild sing this over you, settle in, be still, and ask God to let these ancient words wash over you from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet, that God is with you, he is within you, and he will never leave you.

Jennifer Rothschild: (Singing) Christ be with me and within me, Christ behind me and before. Christ beside me and to win me, Christ to comfort and restore. Christ beneath me and above me, Christ in quiet and in danger. Christ in hearts of all who love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Christ be with me and within me, Christ behind me and before. Christ beside me and to win me, Christ to comfort and restore. Christ beneath me and above me, Christ in quiet and in danger. Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Christ in every heart that's broken, Christ in every joy and pain. Christ in every word that's spoken, Christ in sun and moon and rain. Christ in resting and in rising, Christ the Lord of all our lives. Christ to guide me and to shield me, Christ protecting me from strife.

Christ be with me you're within me, behind me and before. Christ beside me, Lord, you win me, you comfort and restore. Christ beneath me and above me, Christ in quiet and in danger. Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.