Song to Share – Hallelujah!
Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!
3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!
9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and women alike, old and young together!
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. 14 He 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!
Christmas is a time of praise! I love this psalm, but never thought of it as a Christmas psalm. Yet what better a psalm to sing to give thanks to God who has not only given us a Savior, but everything else that is good and beautiful and worthy of our praise.
What would you add to the list of things of which to offer praise? How has your list of things changed over the past 2 years? Who would have thought two years ago our list would include things like hand sanitizer, masks, toilet paper, Zoom accounts, vaccines and those who develop them, distribute them and care for those who wait for them.
What would you add?
For me, Christmas is a time to give thanks to God for music. I love the great variety and volumes of music that are offered – both religious and secular – to celebrate this time of year.
Last Christmas, I came across this video. Carrie Underwood and John Legend (of Springfield, Ohio) share this beautiful duet. The words speak of hope and promise and unity.
Here are the words:
"Hallelujah"
By Tobias Gad and John Legend
Sung By Carrie Underwood and John Legend
Ooh, in the winter's chill Let the candles light the night up from the windowsills Ooh, as I draw you near And we whisper all the sweet sounds only we can hear On the coldest evening in this December I hold you in the heat of the glowing embers Let the world stand still, the church bells ring Silent night as the angels sing Hallelujah, Hallelujah Let the magic warm the moonlit air Hear the choirs join in singing everywhere Hallelujah, Hallelujah Ooh, let there be peace on earth Let the lonely join together, let them know their worth Ooh, let the children know There's a brighter day ahead, let's hold on to hope And on the coldest evening in this December Let us pray the spirit of love will linger Oh, let the world stand still, the church bells ring Silent night as the angels sing Hallelujah, Hallelujah Let the magic warm the moonlit air Hear the choirs join in singing everywhere Hallelujah, Hallelujah Glory, glory, glory I'm so glad to have you here And may this Christmas moment last for years Let the world stand still, the church bells ring Silent night as the angels sing Hallelujah, Hallelujah Let the magic warm the moonlit air Hear the choirs join in singing everywhere Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Here is the video: https://youtu.be/4KiFSKLTj0U
Let us Pray. Let your children know, Oh God, that there’s a brighter day ahead. IN YOU we hope, and pray that your Spirit of love will linger today and in the days to come. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.