This Christmas Season, using the miracles of modern technology, I watched old videos of people singing Christmas song after Christmas song. Many times those leading the singing were accompanied by choirs and orchestras. The auditoriums overflowed with enthralled hearers.

No one wore a mask. No one distanced themselves from anyone else.

I felt very sad. How could we ever have taken for granted these mass gatherings full of joy?

No wonder I meditated upon Psalms such as Psalm 42:

“These things I remember

   as I pour out my soul:

how I used to go to the house of God . . .

with shouts of joy and praise

   among the festive throng.” (Psalm 42:4)

No wonder I said with the Psalmist “[a]s the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2).

My soul pants and thirsts to join festive throngs shouting joy and praise!

But then, I remembered that a new year is coming—a new year in which a miraculous vaccination will enable me to go anew to the house of God shouting joy and praise with festive throngs.

Like the Psalmist (Psalm 42:6-8), I remembered the many times in my life and in history when those who put their hope in the LORD have renewed their strength, soaring on wings like eagles, running without growing weary, and walking without fainting. (Isaiah 40:30-31).

No wonder I shook off my downcast spirits.

No wonder I rejoiced with the Psalmist:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?

   Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

   for I will yet praise him.

   my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:11).

Keep hoping in the LORD.

For we will yet join anew the shouts of joy and praise among festive throngs!

READ MORE

For more Pandemic Wisdom, please read my blogs “Pandemic Wisdom: Straining at the Oars”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Meditating”, “Fear Not the Pestilence That Stalks in the Darkness”,  “Holding Your Hand, Hearing Your Voice”, “Pandemic Wisdom: The Faith of My Father”, “The Baby Jesus ‘Vaccine’ Is Coming”, “Irresistible Hurricanes of the Holy Spirit”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Feeding Multitudes”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Multiple Choice Exams & No-Win-Scenarios”, “Trusting the LORD Will Provide”, “Getting Out of Your Tent”, “LORD Willing”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Visions of America”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Hear and See, Understand and Perceive”, “Pandemic Wisdom: Praying and Waiting”.