Sunday, December 23, 2018
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!” Psalm 122:1
Click to enlarge
“Joy to the World, the Lord is come!”
It is our favorite time of the year! The tree is trimmed. Wreaths have ribbons. Candles glow. A traditional carol is heard over the voices as people fill the room and hallways.
“Let earth receive her King!” Where are we—a shopping center? He is everywhere, but we find “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength, joy are in his dwelling place.” (1 Chronicles 16:27). Surrounding ourselves with other believers of God’s great love for us is a joy! There is a bounce, a lightness in our steps. When we enter Trinity at Christmas, a deep joy is in our hearts. It is our Lord’s home.
Methodists are quiet, but Psalm 66:1 says, “Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name, make his praise glorious. Say to God, How awesome are your deeds!” Even though our voices are not choir quality, our hearts still make us want to sing. “Come; let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song” (Psalm 95:1).
A closer look at this photograph shows Trinity’s Advent wreath, not a common sight at a shopping center! “When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place!” This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:16).
Advent prepares our hearts. Jesus is coming. Heaven and nature sing. “Burst into the songs together, shout for joy!” (Isaiah 52:9/54:1) Is your favorite hymn humming in your mind? “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” or “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel?” Yes, it’s Christmas with all its trimmings. But it’s the joy of the birth of Jesus and knowing he is always with us!
That’s something to sing about!
Joe and Bonnie Andrews