Shout for Joy

 

~~Song of Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a~~Psalm 33~~Luke 1:39-45~~

 

The excitement begins to increase

the closer we get to the birth of our Lord.

The readings reflect this joyful intensity

beginning with the Song of Songs.

Looking closely at the joy of lovers is exactly

 a reflection of how God loves us.

 

“Arise, my beloved,

my dove, my beautiful one,
and come!...

...Let me see you,
let me hear your voice,
For your voice is sweet,
and you are lovely.”
 

If you read chapter three of Zephaniah

you will find incredible words of joy.

Shout for joy...sing joyfully...nothing to fear...

 

The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
He will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals.

 As an expectant mother becomes increasingly eager

to see her unborn child;

 so it should be with the birth of Jesus.

We are given these readings so that we can step aside

from the busyness

and materialism of the season and focus

on the joy of the coming birth.

 

All of our joy and happiness

comes from what God has done for us...

all that he has given to us. 

 

 

There is no happier event than reflecting on Mary's visit to Elizabeth.

Many times I have pictured Mary skipping joyfully...

I imagine her singing happy uplifting songs in a voice like an angel...

 With a spring in her step and a twinkle in her eyes

she rushes to the home of Elizabeth. 

 

Surely the joy of these two women is multiplied

as they give and receive warm embraces from each another. 

 

We are blessed today by the 'design of his heart'. 

He has chosen you to be his own.