Between Memory and Hope

ADVENT WEEK THREE: JOYDecember 20 Rev. Jenny WynnBetween Memory and HopePsalm 126Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.Psalm 126:2aRituals are an important part of our faith. They provide structure and meaningin our lives while helping to manage anxiety and stress. When we feel disori-ented, rituals can help reorient us to what matters most.Rituals connect us to our faith story. They remind us of who we are, wherewe have been, and where we are going. Most importantly, rituals remind us ofGod’s presence in our lives and that we belong to God.Psalm 126 reflects a period after exile. Joy erupts in the Psalm as the com-munity looks back on their deliverance. The psalm goes beyond an exercisein longing for “the good old days.” It remembers the joy of the past, but it alsoorients the readers toward anticipating joy. It engages both rituals of celebra-tion and lament, using them to point to an ever-present God who meets us inour sorrow and our joy.How can you engage in the rituals embodied in this psalm by acknowledgingthe pain while also celebrating what has been lived?You might consider lighting a candle and naming a loss that you have expe-rienced this year, then name a hope for the coming year. As you engage inthese rituals, remember that you are not alone.Remember the promise of the psalmist: “Those who go out weeping, bear-ing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying theirsheaves (v. 6).” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.