Reflections
Psalm 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 (Read)
What better Psalm is there for us to sing
at the Mass that celebrates our Savior’s birth?
“The Lord has made his salvation known;
He has revealed his triumph for the nations to see.”
Isaiah tells us as well, in our 1st reading,
to break out in song,
“For the Lord comforts his people,
and redeems Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52: 9)
The Psalm encourages us to sing joyfully
to the Lord and to sing praise,
“Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
break into song, sing praise.”
The Letter to the Hebrews (our 2nd reading)
tells us that God speaks to us
through the Son, and that Jesus takes his seat
at the right hand of the Father. (Hebrews 1: 2-3)
And the Psalm, in a prophetic way,
glorifies God’s right hand –
“[The Lord’s] right hand and holy arm
have won the victory.”
“[The Lord] has done marvelous deeds.”
What could be more marvelous
than the birth of our savior?
The Son of God is to be the light of the world,
as St John tells us in the Gospel. (John 1: 1-4)
What better reason do we have
to shout with joy to the Lord?
As the Psalm says, “Sing joyfully before the King, the Lord.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection:
1. Our Psalm says, 'Sing to the Lord a new song.' In what way do these words
inspire you to celebrate the birth of our Savior at Christmas? How is our song
at Christmas different from the other songs we sing?
2. The Psalm says, 'All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God ...
sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands.' These words imply prophetically that even
the Gentiles (ourselves) are included in Gods' salvation. What does it mean to you
to have seen the 'saving power of God?'
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