Saturday, December 17: Scripture – Isaiah 42:10-13, NIV
10 Sing to the Lord a new song,
His praise from the ends of the earth,
You who go down to the sea, and all
That is in it,
You islands, and all who live in them.
11 Let the wilderness and its towns raise
Their voices;
Let the settlements where Kedar lives
Rejoice.
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
Let them shout from the mountaintops.
12 Let them give glory to the Lord
And proclaim his praise in the islands.
13 The Lord will march out like a
Champion,
Like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
With a shout he will raise the battle cry
And will triumph over his enemies
Every year during this time of the year, Christmas music is everywhere in our lives: the radio in our car, the sanctuary on Sundays, and the shopping malls as we shop for our presents. This passage in Isaiah immediately made me think of music and song as a way to celebrate the joy and anticipation we feel as we look forward to Christmas. Selfishly, I picked this passage because of the connection to music, as this is a way that I personally find it meaningful to give glory to God (Yes everyone, I have picked back up the piano- I’m playing on Christmas Eve at my church in Louisville!) Joy and good news can be spread through many ways during this time of the year in ways that you feel called to do so. What does sharing the good news of the coming of Jesus look like for you? How do you feel called to spread joy this Advent season?
Prayer: God, help me spread good news and joy during this Advent season through my own gifts and talents. May the joy of Jesus’ birth radiate within me and spread to others through my words and actions this Advent season. Amen.
Katy Whitesell