by 
Sing Loud and Clear
Robin R.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 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. Psalm 96: 11-13
Spoiler Alert: In the movie “Elf,” it is revealed that Santa’s flying sleigh is powered by belief in Santa. On Christmas Eve, the backup rocket engine fails and to save Christmas, all of New York City needs to sing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. In the film, Buddy the Elf says, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for everyone to hear.”
Is that silly and nonsensical? Yes. Does it miss that the real reason for Christmas is the incarnation of God on Earth? Absolutely. Nevertheless, when grumpy James Caan is moved to start singing and that sleigh lifts off the ground, my cold, hard Grinch heart starts to melt and I tear up a little, every time.
So how do I get from oversized elves to Psalms? King David lived in a troubled time, (as do we). It would have been easy for him and his people to lose faith in God’s promise for them. But instead he wrote this Psalm, calling us to look to God’s reign on Earth, and to “Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.” Though it was written looking to the future, Jesus’s birth brings these Psalms to us in the present tense: The trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord for he is here, He has come to bring his truth to us.
The verses of these Psalms are not just something to read. They are built to be sung. They are calling to us, imploring us to allow the presence of God to take over our whole hearts and our voices. Grab your closest Bible and read Psalm 96 aloud a few times. God’s presence lives in these words written nearly 3000 years ago. And speaking them in our living rooms and out in the world is one of the ways that the Kingdom of God is realized in our midst.
The best way to spread Jesus’ cheer is to sing loudly for everyone to hear. So true, Buddy. So true.
Prayer: Lord, in this time when it’s often easier to keep silent or to mumble your praises, inspire me to sing loudly of your presence in my life. Show me how to make the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be a delight to You every day. In Jesus’ loving name I pray. Amen
