Christmas 2
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
He grants peace within your borders;
he fills you with the finest of what.
He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down hail like crumbs -
who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
He declares his words to Jacob,
his statues and ordinances to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his ordinances.
Praise the Lord!
Alternate Image
God's minstrel struggles through a cold, blinding snow storm. Finally the numbed Singer finds a cave and shelter from the bitter storm. Inside the cave the Singer starts a fire, soon the fire's warmth brings welcome comfort. The Singer nestles in the warm comfort and security of the cave and gives thanks to God for this shelter. The Singer considers how God is always there for him and for all his people and provides peace. That the very power that drove him to shelter also provides care. How blessed is the Singer!
Reflection
The church can be a shelter in the storm of life. Within its sanctuaries, its community, its involvement in the world, we are reassured of God's care and blessings for us. In God's presence, strengthened by the community of believers, we are given the bread of life, we receive marching orders giving us meaning and purpose in life. In the harbor of Christ's body the threats of life pale and the coldness of superficiality slip away. Truly, in the church we are a blessed people; a special people who reflect God's light as crystals of snow on a wintry day. We the church praise the Lord.
Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
He grants peace within your borders;
he fills you with the finest of what.
He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down hail like crumbs -
who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
He declares his words to Jacob,
his statues and ordinances to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his ordinances.
Praise the Lord!
Alternate Image
God's minstrel struggles through a cold, blinding snow storm. Finally the numbed Singer finds a cave and shelter from the bitter storm. Inside the cave the Singer starts a fire, soon the fire's warmth brings welcome comfort. The Singer nestles in the warm comfort and security of the cave and gives thanks to God for this shelter. The Singer considers how God is always there for him and for all his people and provides peace. That the very power that drove him to shelter also provides care. How blessed is the Singer!
Reflection
The church can be a shelter in the storm of life. Within its sanctuaries, its community, its involvement in the world, we are reassured of God's care and blessings for us. In God's presence, strengthened by the community of believers, we are given the bread of life, we receive marching orders giving us meaning and purpose in life. In the harbor of Christ's body the threats of life pale and the coldness of superficiality slip away. Truly, in the church we are a blessed people; a special people who reflect God's light as crystals of snow on a wintry day. We the church praise the Lord.
