Monday, December 19: Scripture – Psalm 80:4-7
4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6 You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
My favorite hymn is “My Soul Cries Out With a Joyful Shout,” also called the “Canticle of the Turning.” Its hymn #100 in the Glory to God Hymnal. If you’ve never heard it or sung it, listen to it here. Here are the words to the first verse and the refrain
My soul cries out with a joyful shout
That the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things
That you bring to the one who waits.
You fixed your sight on the servant’s plight,
And my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears,
For the dawn draws near,
And the world is about to turn.
This is an Advent hymn. It is meant to be sung at a time when we are the most lost and turned around. Walking around in the darkness, waiting, and hoping for a Light to shine through and show us the way. This hymn promises Light, restoration, healing, and justice. All the things the psalmist longs for. All the things we wait for. Have hope this season dear friends, because glory draws all of these things near.
Prayer: Holy God, we cry out with the psalmist, “how long?” And before the words leave our lips, you are here. You bring us Light in the darkness, and you turn us around when we are lost. Keep turning us we pray. Amen.
Rev. Molly Spangler