Today is December 27.


May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”  
 
Today’s reading is from Psalm 96.  
 

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; 
    sing to the Lord, all the earth. 
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; 
    proclaim his salvation day after day. 
3 Declare his glory among the nations, 
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 
4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; 
    he is to be feared above all gods. 
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, 
    but the Lord made the heavens. 
6 Splendor and majesty are before him; 
    strength and glory are in his sanctuary. 
7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, 
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; 
    bring an offering and come into his courts. 
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; 
    tremble before him, all the earth. 
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” 
    The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; 
    he will judge the peoples with equity. 
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; 
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it. 
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; 
    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. 
13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, 
    he comes to judge the earth. 
He will judge the world in righteousness 
    and the peoples in his faithfulness. 
 

One of the ways to think of Advent is a baby being born after a long, arduous pregnancy. There have been bouts of morning sickness. There have been sleepless nights. There have been uncomfortable car rides with baby bearing down with each bump. There have been uneasy conversations with the doctor or midwife. There have been many long contractions and birthpains through the night. And then, this psalm. Like the first words out of a mother’s mouth after holding her new baby. Sing to the Lord a new song! Praise his name! Declare his glory! This Christmas week, consider the places in our world, or the people in your life, that are in birth pains, still waiting to sing this song. Pray for them.
 
Now, take a moment to consider places in your life where you are waiting to see God break in, places where you are in waiting.  

Finally, turn to give God praise for the places you’ve seen God’s goodness break in after a long and arduous wait. Over what can you declare, Let the heavens rejoice. Let the fields be jubilant. Let all creation rejoice! Think of something that God has brought to birth in your life that you are grateful for and thank God for that now.  

Behold… what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Amen.