This is he whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord,
whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
now he shines, the long expected; let creation praise its Lord
evermore and evermore. Amen.
After the waiting, the longing, the hoping, what is left to do on Christmas day but praise God? It is not even so much about thanksgiving, which has its own place in the life of faith. Pure praise is just that, the moments of awe and wonder. During my time at St. Gertrude’s Monastery in the summer of 2019, two days a week were reserved for midday praise. It was an acknowledgement that no matter what is going on in the world or my immediate life, it is good to take time to praise God. What is true for nuns in Cottonwood, Idaho is true for all of us on Christmas Day. I love that the hymn writer includes all creation in this praise. Sometimes the natural world guides me in praise—sparkling snow, glittering stars, a sun that warms us. Theologians and poets and even other hymn writers have filled up pages describing in great detail the incarnation, Emmanuel, God with us. But after gifts are opened and dinner is eaten, after the rush of the day, we are wise to read or recall the story of Jesus’ nativity one more time and then simply offer our praise as the angels do, “Glory to God!”
Prayer...
Almighty God, you gave us your only Son to take on our human nature and to illumine the world with your light. By your grace adopt us as your children and enlighten us with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Meggan Manlove
ELCA Pastor, Trinity Lutheran, Nampa ID