Psalm 126

Psalm 126          Habakkuk 3:13-19          Matthew 21: 28-32              

                 OK, we have been reading Psalm 126 for the last three days. Perhaps it is time to take a closer look at this beautiful song of ascents. It is a ‘song of ascents’ because the people of ancient Israel would sing it as they were climbing the hill that approached the temple in Jerusalem. It is a song of worship with a lyric that speaks of preparation.

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.” Those are the words of people who are excited about their anticipated time of worship in the house of the Lord. There was a spirit of joy that filled their words of praise. They still had to climb the hill but they did it with laughter, joy and anticipation.

We too have been traveling a road together. It is the road that will lead us to the Christ Child.  We know where we will find him. He will be there waiting for us in the form of an infant, the Word    became flesh, the incarnate Son of God. We know he is waiting. We know it because we have found him to be faithful in the past. He has always been there.

Our faith journey invites us to travel The Road to the Manger with the same kind of hope, joy and laughter that identified the people of Israel. They were climbing an actual hill. We are symbolically traveling the road to Bethlehem. They were anticipating the Messiah. We are renewing our relationship with someone we have known to be with us on previous journeys. They are hopeful for the future.  We are blessed to be present with Christ today.

Let’s walk together. Lift your heads. Sing with laughter filling your mouth. Let songs of joy    proclaim the goodness of God. For The Road to the Manger is a place willed with the heart of God.   

Don't forget to be in worship tomorrow.  For our Wilson community we will be thinking together about the Lamb of God from the first chapter of the Gospel of John.  Wherever you worship, open your heart, look with the eyes of your heart, and be blessed by the presence of Jesus.  

Peace to all, and a special blessing to those who are preparing for final exams!