Sing
Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place, *
you and the ark of your strength.
Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; *
let your faithful people sing with joy. ~ Psalm 132:8-9
These days, the sun is setting earlier and the cold weather is sweeping in. Much of the leaves have fallen, though a maple in the backyard of the rectory is standing brightly in glorious red. Life persists.
Tomorrow is the last Sunday of the Season after Pentecost. The psalm for the day includes these verses above, where the Israelites call God to rise up and take His seat of glory in Jerusalem. “Arise, O Lord, into your resting-place.” The Israelites are calling out in hope that God might dwell with them. We Christians understand this hope to be fulfilled in Jesus, God’s son, who came to live with us and show us the way of truth and love.
The psalm turns our gaze to Advent, which begins next Sunday. During Advent we ready ourselves to receive the Christ child, Emmanuel, God-with-us. Advent is also a time hope and joy. We are a people who live in certain hope of God’s reign to come, and therefore invited to sing with joy, even now in the time of God’s kingdom that is “already and not yet.”
I invite you to set an intention for this season to live with hope and joy: set aside time for prayer and study whether by yourself, with friends, or with your family. We have Living Compass meditation booklets for you to take home with daily readings for Advent in the Narthex. Or, pick up an Advent Calendar.
Next Sunday, December 1st, linger for a few minutes after worship to assemble an Advent wreath. We will provide the candles, wreath form, greenery, and prayers to say as you light your advent wreath at home each night before meals.
Or choose a book to read. Last Advent, a parishioner recommended, All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings. Let nature hold you in this season of descending darkness and cold.
As the world that God created reminds us in its annual cycle of death and rebirth and the resurrection of Christ makes true for all times, darkness is always a way to a new beginning. Come, get ready for God-with-us. Let us sing with joy.
