From the Organ Bench

Psalm 98 Sing to the LORD a new song, For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. (1) The LORD has made his salvation known And revealed His righteousness before the eyes of the nations. (2) The LORD has remembered His love and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; They have seen the salvation of our God. (3) Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, Burst into jubilant song with music, (4) Make music to the LORD with the harp, With the harp and the sound of singing, (5) With trumpets and the blast of the rams horn Shout for joy before the LORD, the King. (6) Let the sea resound, and everything in it, The world and all who live in it. (7) Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy; (8) Let them sing before the LORD, For he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples with equities. (9)

The Psalm for Christmas Day is a festive, liturgical piece of poetic music. The first two verses sing of Gods victory over chaos. Verse three echoes Gods unique covenant with Israel, a lasting gift. The remainder of the psalm encircles all of creation into the joyous celebration of the LORDS rule or kingship over everything and every person, every tribe, every nation. The psalmist is forward looking. God comes. God will judge. We, modern people, (at least we fancy ourselves in terms of advancement, civility, and political correctness) like to sweep the last verse under the Christmas tree skirt. Even though the English 3rd Edition of the Roman Missal uses puffed up theological language to describe the Holiness of God, we skate away from the biblical descriptions of Gods

personality whenever possible. Psalm 98 only has nine verses and yet the Church omits the last three, as if singing about a righteous God on Christmas Day would spoil the birthday party. Jesus is indeed the reason for the season. The reason for the season is the result of the LORDS judgment. No amount of tinsel, ribbon and fancy packaging can hide or cover up the condition known as humanity. In the midst of twinkling lights, and flashing decorations, brokenness, sorrow, disappointment, disease and poverty preys on our hearts. We are a sin-filled, sickly group of carolers. The judgment was first announced to a group of lay people, minding their own business, shepherds by trade. For today, in the city of David, A savior has been born for you Who is Christ and LORD. We should behave like those shepherds. They listened. They discussed the message. They left their job and acted on the message. They adored the LORD. They told others the message. Their Christmas was wrapped in swaddling clothes. They continued to praise and glorify God. Let us marvel at the reality of this story. With the excitement of angelic voices, let us sing out Joy to the World. Someone may need to hear that for them a Savior is born.

Delma Rouleau Christmas Day 25 December 2011