Praise the Lord!

A Christmas reflection for Tuesday, January 2, 2024 by Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Lobello Edwards

Lectionary reading for 01/02/2024: Psalm 148; Proverbs 1:1-7; James 3:13-18

Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 148

Read

Psalm 148 NRSV

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise him in the heights!

2 Praise him, all his angels;

praise him, all his host!

3 Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars!

4 Praise him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for he commanded and they were created.

6 He established them for ever and ever;

he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.[a]

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,

you sea monsters and all deeps,

8 fire and hail, snow and frost,

stormy wind fulfilling his command!

9 Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

10 Wild animals and all cattle,

creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

12 Young men and women alike,

old and young together!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted;

his glory is above earth and heaven.

14 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

Reflect

Are you familiar with the hymn, All Creatures of our God and King? Inspired by a poem of St. Francis of Assisi, William Henry Draper adapted St. Francis’ words into the hymn we know today.

1 All creatures of our God and King,

lift up your voice and with us sing,

"Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

thou silver moon with softer gleam,

O praise Him, O praise Him!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

2 Thou rushing wind that art so strong,

ye clouds that sail in heav'n along,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,

ye lights of ev'ning, find a voice,

O praise Him, O praise Him!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

3 And all ye men of tender heart,

forgiving others, take your part,

O sing ye! Alleluia!

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,

praise God and on Him cast your care;

O praise Him, O praise Him!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

4 Let all things their Creator bless,

and worship Him in humbleness;

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

and praise the Spirit, Three in One;

O praise Him, O praise Him!

alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

I love that the hymn calls the earth to praise by simply doing what it is created to do - may the sun burn its praise with golden beam and clouds sail in praise in the heavens above. So too may we praise God by simply doing what we are created to do - and giving God glory and honor in all things great and small.

In this Christmas season, let us remember Christ who was born into the world that was created to praise and may we lift our voices with the sun, moon, stars and trees in praise to our Savior.

Respond

I invite you to step outside and be still and listen and feel the ways in which the earth is offering praise to our God. Do you feel the warmth from the sun on your skin or the forceful winds of winter air? Do you hear birds singing songs of joy? Take a moment to offer your song of praise with all of creation.

Rest

God of Grace and God of Glory,

You are alpha and omega - the beginning and the end. Name above all names. You are present in all that was and is and is to come - all that we see, and know, and experience is a gift from you. Thank you for the opportunity to join in with your creation in singing your praise. Amen.

About the Author

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Lobello Edwards is an elder in the United Methodist Church currently on family leave. Ellizabeth received her MDiv and DMin from Candler School of Theology and resides in Atlanta with her children (Willow and Thomas), Great Dane (Pepper), and husband (Adam). She enjoys hosting nerdy board game nights and exploring new restaurants around the city.