Scripture: Psalm 148 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL:
As I read this passage, considering my busy semester, I asked myself, “At what times have I truly praised God lately?” I seem to be more thankful to God than anything. Yet, the times that I have praised have been wonderful and rejuvenating.
I praised God in community when I sang in the Homecoming hymn sing. As I sang in harmony with an inter-generational group of people, I felt an unexplainable joy. I had this same feeling of joy and wonder as I was walking through the woods and I saw leaves falling off of a massive oak. The leaves seemed to fall with perfect timing, and I knew that because of the complexities of nature never again would I see that exact same sight. I then praised God.
When I was a kid, during Advent my mother would have us light a candle every night and sing Christmas songs in English and Spanish. Over the years, as each one of us has gone our separate ways, this tradition was lost. But at the beginning of this month as I had supper with my family, we sang songs as we had done in the past. My favorite part of one of the songs we sang, which is in Spanish, has, of course, a talking donkey. In the song the man riding the donkey is kicking and urging it towards Bethlehem in order to go and see the Christ child as quickly as possible. The donkey tells the man that there is no need to beat him, as the donkey is as anxious as he is to go to Bethlehem.
I urge each one of you this week to praise God alongside nature, one’s family, or one’s community. Every moment is a new creation. Every moment is new life.
Praise the Creator.
Scripture: Psalm 148 (NRSV)
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!
2Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
3Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!
4Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
5Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.
6He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,
8fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!
10Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
11Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!
12Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.
14He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!