December 21/Fourth Saturday of Advent
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness. ~ Ps 33.2-3
A wise friend of mine once encouraged me, whenever I felt myself tightening up from the pressures or anxieties of life, simply to dance. “Go into a room by yourself where no one can see you,” she says, “put on some lively music, and just let yourself go!” While this advice may not apply to everyone, our Psalmist today directs us to awaken that same joyful spirit, and to express it extravagantly. “Strike up the band!” he trumpets, “Tune your instruments, give thanks, chant, sing!” There is no holding back in the language of these verses; they crescendo steadily to those “shouts of gladness,” which in Hebrew are the same horn-blasts that brought down Jericho’s walls under Joshua. And there should be no holding back in our hearts, either, as we prepare to welcome Jesus. But of course our joy is often curtailed, as we feel hemmed in by so many cares and worries. Where I live, today is the winter solstice, a day when darkness seems to have gained the upper hand. All over the world, the lights of humanity, tolerance, and peace are flickering, eclipsed by dark forces of violence and injustice. There seems scant reason for joy. But in a matter of days, into this distressed, sad world the Christ child enters. He brings healing, he renews our spirits with his love, he proclaims hope to the despairing. And he asks us to emulate the extravagant and life-giving love that led him to dwell among us, enveloping our fretful, imperfect humanity in his perfect divinity. The radiant and joyful presence of Christ was, is, and shall again be with us. Let us rejoice and be glad!
Loving God, Illuminate the dark corners of the world, bringing the joy of your presence into every human heart. Amen.
For today’s readings, click here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122124.cfm
To hear the congregation of Grace Community Church (Sun Valley, CA) singing “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart,” click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzuIi4fqjAQ
And for those whose day is not complete without a Renaissance piece, to hear the Gesualdo Six sing “Exsultate, justi, in Domino,” (Psalm 33: 1-3), by Ludovico da Viadana, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1e7H2gqVew
