I remember that when I was a child, among the books on my family’s bookshelf, a few stood out to me apart from the various children’s Bible storybooks. These were three thin, hardcover hymnals — one red, one green, and one blue. Later, I learned that they comprise the Youth Hymns series. According to my parents, back in their church days, the hymns they sang all came from these three hymnals. They even knew exactly which hymns belonged to the “Red Youth” or the “Blue Youth” volumes and could sing any of them effortlessly.

       However, by the time I started serving as a pianist for my church, Hymns of Life had become the primary hymnal. No one seemed to mention Youth Hymns anymore, as if it had become a thing of the past — they were placed in the corners of the church library, unread; they remained on the bookshelves at home, rarely being taken down to be sung. To borrow a phrase from Rev. Arnold Chow’s pastor’s sharing in January, these hymnals had gradually become “spiritual ornaments.”

       Fast forward to the 21st century. In 2011, the Worship Training Committee of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Union Hong Kong, under the leadership of Rev. Mok Chak Ming, carefully selected 60 of the most well-known hymns from the Youth Hymns series, and several pastors and church members from the Christian & Missionary Alliance were invited to retranslate the lyrics to better align with Cantonese pronunciation. For the first time, the Worship Training Committee also brought in professional musicians from within the denomination to rearrange the music, making these hymns more adaptable for use by choirs, organists, and praise teams alike. From 2011 to 2016, these hymns were republished across four volumes under the new title New Youth Hymns.

       No matter the style, the hymns we sing play a crucial role in the spiritual lives of believers. They enrich our spiritual life and shape our faith community. Although we may not have personally composed or translated these hymns, when we sing them, our hearts resonate with them, leading us to be immersed in their spiritual essence. This draws us closer to God and strengthens our relationship with Him.

       In the 1970s and 1980s, Youth Hymns played a significant role in shaping Christian communities. Now, with their new translations and arrangements, these hymns have been given new vitality, and the messages in them continue to be passed on.

       The purpose of reviving old hymns is not to follow the modern trend of “vintage” nostalgia. Rather, it is because these hymns carry meaning — they bear witness to God’s word and to our reverence for the LORD. Our pursuit of vibrant worship is not only about lively music; more importantly, it is about asking God to first revive our hearts. Regardless of the musical style we use in worshiping God, our focus always remains centered on Jesus Christ.