3rd Sunday of Advent (December 11) All the earth

Prepare to Listen.  Light the pink with two purple candles.  Prepare to listen with this reminder: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.
 
Prayerfully Read 1 Chronicles 16:23-27
23Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
    Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvellous works among all the peoples.
25For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be revered above all gods.
26For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
    but the LORD made the heavens.
27Honour and majesty are before him;
    strength and joy are in his place.
 
Prayerfully Wonder
“Sing to the LORD, all the earth.”  As Israel rejoiced that the Ark, the symbol of God’s presence, finally had a home with them in Jerusalem, they invited “all the earth,” not merely God’s chosen people, but all the earth to join them in singing praise to God.  They excluded no one from their joyous praise because they believed “great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised” and therefore should be praised by all peoples.  Had Israel’s view of God been too small, had they forced God into a mold that affirmed their prejudices, hated and loved those whom they hated and loved, they would never have wanted, much less invited all the earth to join them in praising the LORD as the sacred Ark entered Jerusalem.  They would have remained narrow-minded nationalists.
 
This invitation looks forward to the vision in Revelation 4 & 5.  God is seated on the throne, with Jesus as a lamb looking slain standing with God.  Surrounding the throne, moving out in concentric circles, are worshippers that include “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them” (Rev 5:13).  One day all the earth, regardless of race, creed, sex, gender orientation, beliefs, morals will be surrounding God’s throne, standing side by side, singing praises to God.  Only those whose God is great, unimaginable, beyond control, will look forward to this future day by desiring that today all the earth, all peoples, regardless of whom, stand with them and sing the praise of God who is great and greatly to be praise..  Such inclusive praise is preparation and practice for that great future choir from all the earth.
 
Prayerfully Reflect
Imagine what it will be like to sing praise to God with all the earth.
 
Respond in Prayer
Lord you are great and greatly to be praised by all the earth.  May I never exclude any person on the basis of my prejudices and beliefs.  Amen.
 
Live Obediently.  Sing to the Lord with all the earth.