Advent 2
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
An Alternate Image
At a class reunion the Singer reminisces with a few friends about past good times. They recall joyous childhood adventures camping in the woods, fighting imaginary bears and lions, foil dinners shared around an open campfire and ghost stories told in the dark of night. They recall their early romances, first dates, unrequited loves and they smile over their innocence. They laugh about their athletic exploits, games won and games lost and the comradeship they shared. They share the eagerness they felt when they graduated from high school and the expectations they had for their lives. They continue to share and celebrate their loves, their vocations, their hopes and dreams and the blessings that God has so richly bestowed on their lives. They are amazed that life and God has been good to them. Even in the difficult times they could see rainbows. It is a good sharing and reminiscence. Others envy their joy.
Reflection
What events do you recall when you get together with friends? Do you remember the good or the bad, the joyful or the sorrowful? Reminisces in faith allow us to celebrate our pasts. Faith helps us focus on what God has done for us throughout our lives. It is God who has authored our birthdays and anniversaries. It is God who has provided all these good things for us. When we celebrate God's faithfulness, others see our faith and are drawn into the fellowship of God's family.
we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
An Alternate Image
At a class reunion the Singer reminisces with a few friends about past good times. They recall joyous childhood adventures camping in the woods, fighting imaginary bears and lions, foil dinners shared around an open campfire and ghost stories told in the dark of night. They recall their early romances, first dates, unrequited loves and they smile over their innocence. They laugh about their athletic exploits, games won and games lost and the comradeship they shared. They share the eagerness they felt when they graduated from high school and the expectations they had for their lives. They continue to share and celebrate their loves, their vocations, their hopes and dreams and the blessings that God has so richly bestowed on their lives. They are amazed that life and God has been good to them. Even in the difficult times they could see rainbows. It is a good sharing and reminiscence. Others envy their joy.
Reflection
What events do you recall when you get together with friends? Do you remember the good or the bad, the joyful or the sorrowful? Reminisces in faith allow us to celebrate our pasts. Faith helps us focus on what God has done for us throughout our lives. It is God who has authored our birthdays and anniversaries. It is God who has provided all these good things for us. When we celebrate God's faithfulness, others see our faith and are drawn into the fellowship of God's family.
