Psalm 126:1-3
1) When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. (NRSV)
2) It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion’s exiles. We laughed, we sang, we couldn’t believe our good fortune. We were the talk of the nations—“God was wonderful to them!” God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people. (The Message)
The theme for the third Sunday in Advent is JOY. Most likely this particular psalm was written and sung by the Israelites to celebrate their release and return from their Babylonian captivity. I printed this out in two versions today because they are both interesting. The NRSV (New Revised Standard Version) is the more traditional language and sticks close to translating the original writing. The Message is more colloquial and gives a better image of the actual joy felt here — it feels joyful.
It is right to rejoice in God’s goodness and God’s work in our lives, but while the people are rejoicing here they are also, a few verses on, intreating God to act for them again and save them from a then current drought. God’s work in and for us is never “one and done.”
Joy is given us over and over again. Singing in a choir and hearing it, just that once, all come to perfection. Holding your child for the very first time. A sunset that blows past all “normal” for beauty and leaves an image you will carry forever. Sitting around with friends and loved ones and laughing and laughing at silly things. Occasions for joy fill our todays and they fill our memories. And the deepest of these is the true knowledge that God and God’s joys are always with us.
We have our personal joys and our communal joys — but one day, we are promised, we will see God’s kingdom come to full fruition here among all peoples. This requires that we all play our part. So, what can we do to bring joy to others? It isn’t just a gift we get to hoard to ourselves and the work to spread joy does not all rest on God alone. Get up and spread that joy around! Even if you’re feeling down at the moment.
Sometimes, like now perhaps, we may feel a long ways from there, but we just keep working toward it, sharing, caring, seeking justice for all — the day our tears will turn into laughter. And on that day, as Isaiah reminded us a couple of weeks ago in our First Sunday reading, “all peoples will see it together.” Rejoice! Our God of hope and peace and justice and joy reigns!
Amen.
It is right to rejoice in God’s goodness and God’s work in our lives, but while the people are rejoicing here they are also, a few verses on, intreating God to act for them again and save them from a then current drought. God’s work in and for us is never “one and done.”
Joy is given us over and over again. Singing in a choir and hearing it, just that once, all come to perfection. Holding your child for the very first time. A sunset that blows past all “normal” for beauty and leaves an image you will carry forever. Sitting around with friends and loved ones and laughing and laughing at silly things. Occasions for joy fill our todays and they fill our memories. And the deepest of these is the true knowledge that God and God’s joys are always with us.
We have our personal joys and our communal joys — but one day, we are promised, we will see God’s kingdom come to full fruition here among all peoples. This requires that we all play our part. So, what can we do to bring joy to others? It isn’t just a gift we get to hoard to ourselves and the work to spread joy does not all rest on God alone. Get up and spread that joy around! Even if you’re feeling down at the moment.
Sometimes, like now perhaps, we may feel a long ways from there, but we just keep working toward it, sharing, caring, seeking justice for all — the day our tears will turn into laughter. And on that day, as Isaiah reminded us a couple of weeks ago in our First Sunday reading, “all peoples will see it together.” Rejoice! Our God of hope and peace and justice and joy reigns!
Amen.
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