Advent Devotion by Goshen College student, faculty, and staff "Mystery Revealed – Shout for Joy!" by Rose Shetler, director of annual giving and operations manager for Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Mystery Revealed – Shout for Joy!

"Mystery Revealed – Shout for Joy!" by Rose Shetler, director of annual giving and operations manager SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148: 1-5 Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven,     praise him from the mountaintops; Praise him, all you his angels,     praise him, all you his warriors, Praise him, sun and moon,     praise him, you morning stars; Praise him, high heaven,     praise him, heavenly rain clouds; Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—     he spoke the word, and there they were! 6 He set them in place     from all time to eternity; He gave his orders,     and that’s it! 7-12 Praise God from earth,     you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps; Fire and hail, snow and ice,     hurricanes obeying his orders; Mountains and all hills,     apple orchards and cedar forests; Wild beasts and herds of cattle,     snakes, and birds in flight; Earth’s kings and all races,     leaders and important people, Robust men and women in their prime,     and yes, graybeards and little children. 13-14 Let them praise the name of God—     it’s the only Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;     he’s built a monument—his very own people! Praise from all who love God!     Israel’s children, intimate friends of God. Hallelujah!(The Message) DEVOTIONAL: The excitement at Christmas was always palpable when our children were young. As we each took turns selecting a gift from under the tree, they watched with anticipation to see the mystery revealed beneath the wrapping. What fun for both givers and receivers alike during the joyful exchange! One gift stands out in my memory. The contents of that particular box brought shouts of glee from all four children, but our second son, age eight, was especially animated. He raced through the house, down the stairs and back up. He jumped into my arms exclaiming, “thank you, thank you!” Then, pumping his fists, he ran around the room again, whooping, hollering and leaping. I have the photos and video that captured his exuberance! And I can tell you, his parents received as much joy in the giving as he did in the receiving. What a guy, what unbridled joy, and what a memory! “Oh, That You Would Reveal Your Mystery” has been our Advent theme, and at last this week, the waiting is over! God’s glory is revealed, and all creation shouts for joy. With the psalmist in today’s text we cry over and over, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” The call to praise is first shouted to the highest heights, the heavens and everything above the earth. Then all things on the earth and under the earth are commanded to praise the Lord. Finally, all peoples are given the exhortation – rulers and children, young and old, women and men – no one is excluded in the joyful celebration. God’s beauty is revealed: Christ the Savior is born! We all join in jubilant praise, and rejoice together! SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148 (NRSV) Praise for God’s Universal Glory Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. He established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord![New Revised Standard Version] The post Mystery Revealed – Shout for Joy! appeared first on Devotions.

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