Click on this YouTube link to start listening to this beloved and well-known carol. Then, take time to honestly and thoughtfully answer the prompts below.
- Besides the name, does this familiar carol make you think of joy, awe, or wonder? What characteristic(s), musical or otherwise, move you to that answer?
- Listen to it again without watching to see if you receive the same aural message. Are there memories associated with the sounds you hear? Are they joyful . . . pleasant . . . painful? Why?
- During this Advent week linked to joy, do you find yourself struggling to find joy, or do you find yourself easily immersed in it?
- If you are struggling with joy in this season, you are invited to pause and sense “the wonders of his love.” They are all around us.
To be alive is to look up at the stars on a dark night and to feel the beyond-words awe of space in its vastness. To be alive is to look down from a mountaintop on a bright, clear day and to feel the wonder that can only be expressed in “oh” or “wow” or maybe “hallelujah.” (Brian McLaren)
At this time of year, that sense of wonder for some people is the closest feeling to joy that can be mustered—and that’s okay. Lean into the “wonders of his Love.”
Prayer: O sing to the Beloved a new song, for Love has done marvelous things! By the strength of your Indwelling Presence, we, too, are called to do great things; we are set free through Love’s forgiveness and truth. Yes, your steadfast Love and faithfulness are ever-present gifts in our lives. All the ends of the earth have seen the glory of Love’s Eternal Flame. Make a joyful noise to the Beloved all the earth; break forth into grateful song and sing praises! Yes, sing songs of praise extolling Love’s way; lift up your hearts with gratitude and joy!*
Paul Henderson is the Associate Pastor of Music and Worship at Highland Baptist, serving since March 1, 2023. He and his wife, Kim, have two young adult daughters and a loving, wrinkly Shar-Pei, Louis (pronounced Louie). Besides music, travel and entertaining are two of their favorite activities.
*Psalm 98, from Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill, p, 193.