A Noisy Advent

Categories: Devotional,Psalms

It’s not yet Christmas, but is it OK to make some noise ahead of time? Is it OK to be a little boisterous when thinking about the birth of the Savior and Good Shepherd?

Well, King David made some noise well ahead of Christmas. He did it in front of his neighbors in Psalm 28. David sings about God his shepherd:

Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever (Ps. 28:9).

David’s voice must have hit full volume when earlier he shouts of what God has done, and looks forward to what he knows God will do:

The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him … My heart leaps for
joy and I will give thanks to him in song (Ps. 28:7).

This Advent, 2011, give yourself an early present. Let your lungs leap for joy when you sing of all that God has done for you, and look forward to what you know God will do.

And, as you put up Christmas decorations in view of your neighbors, remember that King David, in front of his neighbors, put up quite a bit of noise.

Christmas tradition holds that we sing carols. Let’s escalate that practice. In the spirit of Christmas, why not goad your neighbors into raising their voices at you? Wouldn’t it be nice to hear them shout back, in the spirit of Christmas, “Hey, come on, keep it down!”

So, as you get ready to celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus, go ahead and be a good neighbor. Don’t keep it down. Make some noise. The angels did. The shepherds did too.

Now that’s something to Celebrate!

Author: Toby Larson

Toby Larson leads Celebration International. He is a husband and father of 5. Whether he's teaching, hitting tennis balls, sailing a Hobie, serving in Asia, skiing on water or snow, Toby is passionate about the love of God and the love of life. Read more ...