For our Advent devotionals we are looking deeper at some of our favorite carols.
Today’s Scripture: Luke 2:13-14
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Today’s Carol: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! The herald the angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
Hail the hev’n born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
Today’s Devotional
Several years ago there was a video that went viral of a toddler named Mateo arguing with his mom about cupcakes. He’s in trouble because he tried to eat some cupcakes after she said no. His argument is that it’s OK because at Grandpa’s house they can touch everything at Grandpa’s house – no matter what Mom says.
What makes the video funny is the way the toddler tries to convince his mom of his position. He keeps saying over and over “Listen. Listen. Listen.” And even calls he by her first name: “Listen, Linda! Listen!”. At one point he even calls her honey, “Listen, Honey!” I fear for that family’s teen-age years!
I think what makes this video so funny is that we can all relate to trying to get someone to listen to us – especially when it seems they are not. When we have something important to say and no one is paying attention we want to scream “Listen to me, Linda!”
The angels who visited the shepherds in the field when Jesus was born had something REALLY important to say. The shepherds listened. But do we?
When Charles Wesley wrote the text to this carol it seemed he was saying to us “Listen, Linda!” Hark! Listen! Listen to what the angels are saying! Listen to what is being proclaimed. Listen to what just happened – it’s important.
What is God trying to get you to pay attention to? Hark! Listen! It’s important.
Today’s Prayer
God sometimes you have to get our attention. Sometimes we don’t do a good job of listening. Sometimes we need someone to yell “Hark!” As we go through our day and our week help us to hear what you want us to hear – to pay attention to what you are telling us – and to act on what we learn.
Amen
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