Celebrate!
Shout for joy, you heavens!
Be glad, you earth!
Burst into song, you mountains!
The Lord will comfort his people.
He will show his tender love to those who are suffering. ~ Isaiah 49:13 (NIRV)
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. ~ Titus 2:11 (CEB)
Gracious God, when you make an appearance, all creation starts to party! You even include the people in your party-making. You must love us a lot to put up with all that we do -- and all the suffering we create for ourselves and others. Your love disarms the suffering and gives us reasons to celebrate. You are kind and gracious beyond our understanding. Forgive us for pretending that we can explain it all. Help us -- help me -- to join with the heavens, the earth, and the mountains in celebrating your love. You are incredible! Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
