Christmas Eve - Psalm 96:1-13 - He Is Coming to Love the Earth and All Its People

PSALM 96:1-13

¹   O sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
²   Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
³   Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
⁴   For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
⁵   For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
⁶   Honor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
⁷   Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
⁸   Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
⁹   Worship the LORD in holy splendor;
tremble before him, all the earth.

¹⁰  Say among the nations, “The LORD is king!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
¹¹  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
¹²       let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
¹³       before the LORD; for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit in silence five to fifteen minutes embracing the great light that shines before you.
• Worship the Lord in holy splendor.
• Let a new song arise within you.
• He is coming.
• He is coming to love the earth.
• Sing for joy!
• What truth arises within you?
• What is God’s message for you?
• Give thanks to God for this time of new life and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Monday, December 24, 2018, Christmas Eve (Year C)
Isaiah 9:2-7
Psalm 96:1-13
Titus 2:11-14
Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)

(c) 2018 The Rev. Dr. Lil Smith, DASD.  Permission to use in not-for-profit settings.  Please give credit to author.