Much of our time each week is spent preparing for the hours to come. I know that each week I spend many hours in preparation for a couple of hours on Wednesdays and a few hours on Sunday. What do you spend your time each week preparing for? But even as we wait for what is going to happen, it is important to stop. To stop and simply be still. Sometimes being still is the best preparation of all.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. 
Psalm 98:4-9

As you are spending time preparing for the birth of our Savior, take a moment to listen to the sounds of the season: Silver bells! Up on the housetop: click, click, click. Just hear those sleigh bells jingling; ring, ting, tingling too. Eleven pipers piping. The cattle are lowing. Gloria! What else would you add to the list of sounds of this season for you? 

Maybe you would add pots rattling in the kitchen as special meals are prepared...

On Sunday, we experienced the beautiful sounds of instruments and voices during our service of Lessons and Carols.The psalmist also mentions lyres, trumpets, and horns as making joyful noises to the Lord. The psalmist even goes so far as to say that the sea, floods, and hills will erupt into joyful praise as the Lord is welcomed to earth. 

What sound of celebration will you claim as the birth of Christ occurs in you?

Prayer for Today

Lord, hear our sounds of praise and receive them as celebration over your coming this Advent. 
In Christ's Name, Amen.