Listen

Break into song together, you ruins of Jerusalem! The Lord has comforted his people and has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm in view of all the nations; all the ends of the earth have seen our God’s victory.

Isaiah 52:9-10

Think

One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies is “Elf” with Will Ferrell. One of my favorite scenes from that movie is when Buddy (the elf) breaks into song in the middle of the department store to prove to Jovy that there’s no difference between singing alone and singing in public. It’s hilarious!

If you’re anything like me, breaking into song isn’t totally out of the norm. When I’m happy, I sing! Not all of you share this trait with me (or Buddy the Elf) but the prophet Isaiah is telling the people of Jerusalem to do just this — “Break into song together…”! This prophet was predicting the goodness of God for the people of Jerusalem and encouraging them to celebrate through song.

During Advent and at Christmas we celebrate the way God “comforted and redeemed” us through Jesus, and we have songs and hymns that we sing this time of year to celebrate. Take time this Christmas season to “break into song together” and celebrate who God was, is, and will be!

Ryan Wilson

Pray

God who comforts and redeems, in this season of love, hope, peace, and joy, may the life I live and the songs I sing help tell your story and celebrate your goodness. Amen.

Go

Christmas highlights the belief that God is in all of us. We can ignore that, or we can help God be found in all of us. God is active through each of us for each other.

from Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2012, The Irish Jesuits