Listen

Tell the nations, “The Lord rules! Yes, he set the world firmly in place; it won’t be shaken. He will judge all people fairly.” Let heaven celebrate! Let the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it roar! Let the countryside and everything in it celebrate! Then all the trees of the forest too will shout out joyfully before the Lord because he is coming! He is coming to establish justice on the earth! He will establish justice in the world rightly. He will establish justice among all people fairly.

Psalm 96:10-13

Think

Do you remember a time when you had so much joy in your heart that it was contagious? So much joy that everyone and everything around you couldn’t help but partake in such exciting emotions? We read about that kind of joy in our psalm today. The psalmist’s joy and excitement are contagious. So contagious that the sea, trees, forest, and countryside join in to praise and worship God who liberates us and establishes justice in this world. The act of nature worshiping God invites us to find ways to express our gratitude and celebrate the wonder and beauty of the earth while celebrating God’s promise of a Son who is the Light of the World.

As we continue to celebrate Christmas, we rejoice with all of creation that the Light of the World has come. May our gratitude lead us to follow Christ’s light and join God’s work of love and justice in the world.

Marcia Quintanilla

Question to Ponder:

In what ways can you express your gratitude towards the earth that we live in?

Pray

God of wonder and beauty,

open my eyes and heart to see the great wonders of your creation.

Help me to have a heart that exudes joy and gratitude for who you are.

Amen.

Go

Glory to the light of the world

Glory to the light of the world

For all who wait

For all who hunger

For all who’ve prayed

For all who wonder

Behold your King

Behold Messiah

Emmanuel, Emmanuel

“Light of the World” by Lauren Daigle