The text for this hymn was written in 1779 by the English poet and cleric, John Newton, a former captain of slave ships who found faith after a ... that we should clear our minds of everything ...

with great faith and understanding. In the same period, another significant movement affected the hymns of the church: the Methodist movement, led by John Wesley. Wesley and especially his brother ...

Listen to the Gettys talk about their favorite Christmas hymns, and then listen to their performance of each one right here on The Podcast.