Listen

Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all you ocean depths! Do the same, fire and hail, snow and smoke, stormy wind that does what God says! Do the same, you mountains, every single hill, fruit trees, and every single cedar! Do the same, you animals— wild or tame— you creatures that creep along and you birds that fly! Do the same, you kings of the earth and every single person, you princes and every single ruler on earth! Do the same, you young men— young women too!— you who are old together with you who are young!

Let all of these praise the Lord’s name because only God’s name is high over all. Only God’s majesty is over earth and heaven.

Psalm 148:7-13

Think

The Christian faith is based on JOY. Joy to the World, the newborn king! The stone is rolled away and there is JOY in the resurrection. The incarnation and the resurrection are so far beyond anything we could imagine, that all we can do is offer praise to God.

Our God who created sea monsters, wild animals, creeping things, and flying things invites us into a new year. A new year full of promise and possibility. God never tells us that everything will be perfect. God promises to be with us – in everything life throws our way.

We got this. Thanks be to God for 2021!

When words are not enough to express our praise to the God who enters our life, then we respond by living our lives in JOY.

Michelle Thomas-Bush

Pray

God of new beginnings, I enter this year with eyes wide open.

May I step out of whatever privilege I have to see the struggles and pain where my brothers and sisters experience life that is unfair.

Bring about your beloved community, filled with peace, prosperity, and love for all of your children.

In the name of your son, amen.

Go

Take a deep breath and be present every moment of every day of 2021.

Love with intention. Be the Church.

Practice radical hospitality. Celebrate others.

May the grace of God fill your days so that you cannot help but respond to all of life with exuberant joy!