Saturday, December 3, 2011

Advent - December 3


Psalm 20, 21, 110, 116, 117

Amos 5:18-27

Jude 17-25

Matthew 22:15-22

Two of the passages today encompass a call to worship and a doxology. Psalm 117, at only two verses, comes right to the point: “1 – Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! 2 – For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” So much energy and enthusiasm in two brief verses. How often do we come into worship with that much energy?

The final verses of Jude likewise hold a highly energized doxology. “24 – Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 – to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” What an exhilarating mouthful.

Very often we just want to have a rather still time with peace and quiet and as much as time can be a time of reflection and preparation, it is also a time to build up energy. This is the start of the Church year and we prepare for the coming Christmas celebration. Now is the time to gather our energy and come into his presence with rejoicing. Just when we think we do not have the energy, He is there to provide it.

No comments:

Post a Comment