By Jerome Malek
Psalm 98:4-9
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.” Psalm 98:4
From the beginning of time God’s creation has manifested the glory of God. The mystery and splendor of the universe cries out in joyful sounds and majestic beauty testifying to the transcendent nature of the Creator.
God’s people down through the ages have proclaimed God’s praises. Now it is our turn to offer our praise and worship. God is revealed in the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth to whom we celebrate in churches throughout the world.
Music has always played a major role in the celebration of the birth of Christ. Composers, poets, and other artists have endeavored to capture the joy of the coming of Immanuel (God with us) as not only creator, but as redeemer.
Too splendid for speech but ripe for a song:
the wonders of God to whom we belong!
What tune can we sing? What rich chords can we play
to honor the potter who made us from clay?The swell of earth’s praise shall build to a blast
of trumpets and drums when God comes at last
to hear if our lives, like the heavens above,
are filled with the music of justice and love.Alert to your notes that dance in the heart
we promise, O God, that we’ll sing our part
and pray that the song which your song shall inspire
will lead every nation to join in your choir.
Thomas H. Troeger
Copyright to Oxford University Press, Inc. 1985
Assigned to Oxford University Press 2010
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