Christmas Day – Psalm 98

“With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.” (Psalm 98:6 NRSV)

Again, it’s a good idea to read this whole psalm today. But if you have a house with children on Christmas morning, you get the idea of joyful noise. You may even pray for a nice weather day so you can scoot that noise right out into the yard for a bit. Or you may join that noise and add your own to it!

Christmas Eve services are often quiet worship times; “Silent Night” sung from memory, gently in the candlelight. But when Christmas morning falls on a Sunday, that worship service should reflect this psalm: singing, lyres, trumpets and horns! The waiting time is over. The Christ child is born! Hallelujah!

My prayer for you readers today is that Christmas Day includes a bit of worship, even if it is simply the reading of this psalm. I pray for you this day a celebration whether it be joyful children running and screeching throughout the house or a quiet moment in the early dawn. I pray for you good memories of Christmases past and the making of more good memories. I pray the peace promised with the Christ Child fills your heart no matter your situation, strengthening you to change what you can change and offer God praise.

Merry Christmas. May the peace of the Lord be with you.

Holy Gift, thank you for this day of celebration. Guide us to create the peace your presence promises. Amen.

– The Rev. Fay Ann Blaylock, Zion United Church of Christ, Rulo, and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Falls City