Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-225 Sunday 23 Dec 2001

Reading: PSALM 92 – CHRISTMAS PRAISE

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

‘It is good … to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night’ (vs 1,2}.

l’m always taken by surprise that the music of Christmas praise never seems to grow stale or routine. I hope it’s refreshing you during this week and at today’s carol services. There’s even Christmas music in today’s psalm.

‘Glory to God in the highest,’ sang the angels soaring above the Bethlehem fields, to the terrified and then exalted shepherds. They returned to their work making music to the name of the Most High for his love and faithfulness (vs 1-3).(1)

The wise men sensed deep joy at the work of the Lord’s hands – the unfailing guiding star leading them to worship in the stable (v 4; Matt 2:9-11).

Mary’s quiet heart folded away the extraordinary comings and goings in the stable and pondered: ‘How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts’ (v 5; Luke 1:46-55; 2:19).

Foolish and fearful Herod thrashed about in a futile orgy of destruction. He passes from history, remembered mostly for his suspicions and murderous outbursts (vs 6,7; Matt 2:16-18).

Old Zechariah, speech restored, boldly spoke of imminent redemption, ‘a horn of salvation’, rescue from ancient enemies and a fear free future (vs 9,11).(2)

And two more very elderly people welcomed the Saviour: ‘righteous and devout’ Simeon, and Anna the prophetess who ‘worshipped night and day, fasting and praying’.(3) Verses 12-15 might have been written specifically about the older generation whom Luke describes with such affection and respect in the Christmas story!

‘Lord, this Christmas, help us to enter deeply into the great love and faithfulness which sent your Son to share our humanity and be our Saviour.’

(1)Luke 2:13,20 (2) Luke 1:67-79; compare Ps 92:9-11 (3) Luke 2:25-38

– Pauline Hoggarth

Copyright Scripture Union, 2001

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