Promises and singing

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations."  (Luke 2:29--31)

It is hard to believe but we are to the third day of Christmas.  I know the Christmas music has stopped, on most radio stations, and many of the trees are either down or coming down soon.  It is, however, only the third day, of the 12 days, of Christmas.  These lead to Epiphany and the coming of the "Wise Men" with gifts.  It is a continuation of the celebrations of the promises of God -- Emmanuel, God WITH us.  A promise God has given to each, and all, of us.  It is something we can celebrate with singing.

The Gospel reading, in Luke, is about two people who have waited a long time, knowing God keeps God's promises.  These verses, above, are about Simeon but Anna is mentioned only a few verses further on.  Both have been waiting for the coming of the Messiah.  Both have been a regular part of the Temple -- Anna even lives in the Temple. (v. 37)  They both start praising (v. 28), and thanking (v. 38), God.  We know "the rest of the story" so we also know God keeps God's promises.  This is how we can be singing and praising God - even after the trees are down and a lot of the "Christmas" music has stopped.

The hymn I especially think of, this morning, is "Joy to the World."  Isaac Watts took Psalm 98:4, "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music", and turned it into a wonderful way of expressing our JOY in Emmanuel -- God with us!  Can we be singing and praising for God keeping God's promises?