O God of heaven, we give thee thanks

O God of heaven, we give thee thanks. Anastasia Van Burkalow* (1911-2004). This four-stanza hymn, dated 1973, captures beautifully Anastasia Van Burkalow’s passion for the planet she had spent a lifetime studying:   O God of heaven, we give thee thanks  for all thy gifts of light:the brilliance of the sun by day,  the moon and stars by night;and that most gracious Light of lights,  our Savior and our King,who came the night of sin to end,  eternal day to bring.  O God of earth, we give thee thanks  for making earth so fair;for plains and mountains, lakes and streams,  for sky and sea and air.O God of life, we give thee thanks  for grass and herb and tree,for living creatures of all kinds,...