By Pastor Mark Moreno

Praise the Lord!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

In Luke 2:13-15 we read,

”And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
English Standard Version

We are in the season where we get to hear the familiar words of the well-known story of the birth of Jesus. It can become so familiar that we stop actually experiencing the power and beauty found within!

It is so simple in many ways, but consider this: God could have announced this news to the king, to the church officials, to “important people”. But He doesn’t! He chose to share the news first with common men, these shepherds. This connects with us, because we may not seem to be the most important people, but God chooses to give His gifts to everyone, no matter how “important” they are.

You may note our title is “hallelujah”, yet that word does not appear in the text I chose for this devotion. Hallelujah is a transliteration of Hebrew which means “praise ye Jah!”. The word “hallel”  in Hebrew means a joyous praise in song. The second part, “Yah” is a shortened form of YAHWEH. The word “Alleluia” is a Latin derivative of the Hebrew phrase “Hallelujah” and has been used in the same manner.

Can you imagine that the angels simply burst with praise and excitement at the unfolding of God’s plan? These heavenly beings get to be in God’s presence regularly and yet even they cannot contain themselves in this magnificent moment.

This month can be filled with stress, but can you find a reason to let your “hallelujah” burst forth in praise of God? Can you find many reasons?

All of that gets us to this one, beautiful and powerful truth: Today is the day to praise the Lord! Praise Him for His faithfulness! Praise Him for His gift of the Christ child! Praise Him for your family! Praise Him for life! Praise Him for your faith! Praise Him for His salvation!

I pray that you start each day with praise to God for His new and amazing gifts that are given to us with each new day. I pray that joy and excitement never leaves you and that you can join your voice with the angelic choirs in praising God!

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado