Make a Joyful Noise!

One of the God-appointed feasts in the Israelite's day was called the Feast of Trumpets. How interesting--trumpets. I decided to dig a little deeper to find out more about this musical instrument. First of all, God loves trumpets! In fact, I'm wondering if these are His favorite instruments. (Remember, when He comes back for us on the last day, the trumpet of God will be blown for all the world to hear!) In Biblical times, this magnificent sound was used:

-to signify the first day of the month and at the beginning of feasts

-to assemble the Israelites when moving throughout the wilderness

-to lead the Israelite army into battle

-and to announce extraordinary events

Extraordinary events? Wouldn't you agree that the night that the Messiah was born was the most extraordinary event in all of human and heavenly history up to this point in time? The Creator of the universe in a feeding trough? The bliss of heaven sleeping in a bed of hay? Yes, extraordinary. Let's re-visit that holy night, that night divine:

...There were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flocks by night...and suddenly an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them...and the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."...and suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God...(Luke 2:8-13).

Indeed, the angelic trumpet section was on that night, with full range and projection! If I could have been anywhere in the first Christmas celebration, that's where I would have been--to hear the angels play and dance and sing--to feast my eyes and ears on the resounding praise concerning the wonders of His love. The only response would have been to fall on my knees. But then, I would have gotten up and run in haste with those lowly shepherds to find the newborn King--the King of kings, the Lord of lords!

But, I was not there; I (and you) are here, today...

Dear friends, it's now our generation's turn to make a joyful noise! O come let us adore Him! Praise Him with your Christmas carols--praise Him with your ipods, praise Him with your CD's. Praise Him with your musical instruments, praise Him with your merry dancing--praise Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Yes, O come all ye faithful, and sing to the world:

Immanuel, God with us. Your joyful noise is sweet to your Savior's ears, and to your neighbor's hearts.