Faith | When you feel grateful, who receives your ‘hallelujah’ and why?
‘Tis the season to give and receive “Season’s Greetings” to shoppers, and to passers-by on sidewalks dusted with snow, and/or cluttered with forlorn leaves.
While December greetings may attach the commentary that “Jesus is the reason for the season,” let’s ask: What reason acts as accent for the Thanksgiving season? Asked another way, when feeling grateful, who receives your thanks, and why?
This November, on a downtown Kennewick avenue, neighbors noticed a newly parked presence of a sizable, circa 1970, vintage bus. Easily evoking nostalgia, and conversations of travels undone, it turns out this big bus was broken down, halted until a needed engine part arrived. Fast-forward a few days when, suddenly, a voice from the street gleefully emoted, “Hallelujah!”
Why this cry?
You guessed it: Because the part had arrived, the repair succeeded, and the once-stalled traveler could once again proceed to the route, with renewed joy, and vocal thanksgiving.
Hallelujah!
Granted, I did not ask the grateful man whether he knew Hebrew, but basically, his thanksgiving translates as: “praise” (hallel) the “LORD” (Yah/weh).
Notably, a “hallelujah” can hit the airwaves in many ways. For example, it can get shouted suddenly, surprisingly (ex. “You’re engaged! Hallelujah!”); it can get said sarcastically, sardonically (ex. “You’re engaged? Hallelujah.”); or it can get sung soulfully, even scripturally. Yet whichever way it resounds, aren’t all audible hallelujahs propelled by an inner why, a reason for this remarkable remark?
An inspired sampling of thought-filled hallelujahs finds expression in the biblical Psalms. As voiced in Psalm 135, the singer begins and ends his song with the call (even the command!) to “Praise the LORD!” In between those lyrical brackets, the singer strums reason after reason why the LORD is worthy to receive such laud: His character is good (vs. 3); His covenant is sure (vs. 4); His control is absolute (vss. 5-7); His conquests are complete (vss. 8-12); His constancy proves comforting (vss. 13-14); His contrast to idols instills confidence (vss. 15-18); His blessed communion, amazingly, dwells with His people (vss. 19-21)!
As Psalm 135 composes, if your trust is in this LORD, you will want to ascribe worth and raise a festive “Hallelujah” chorus ...
Speaking of which, also during this season of greetings, many of you will catch ear of George Frideric Handel’s expression of “Hallelujah!” as recorded thunderously, triumphantly, in his 1741 composition, Messiah.
In this oratorio, the story of Jesus unfolds, as told primarily in lyrics compiled from the Old Testament. Significantly, scenes of the Christ move musically from prophecy to passion to proclamation to praise. Of note in this score, the reason offered for the repeated chorus of Hallelujah is: “For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ... And He shall reign for ever and ever!” If that statement is true (and it is), then why wouldn’t you join that chorus!
To which some may reply, “Well, because honestly during this season of life, I feel more like the broken-down bus, waiting for a much needed repair of a broken heart, a broken body and, frankly, a broken faith; seriously, how can I Hallelu-Yah while watching the winds of change, and swirls of pain, sweep through my bones, my brain, and my belief-system?”
On the face of it, that too, sounds like a reasonable question seeking reason.
Still, what if during this season of greetings, the Messiah himself greets you along the way, and speaks peace? Would that personal encounter spring forth thanksgiving-praise to the LORD? If so, may the words of the Psalmist, and the story of the Christ, stoke your spirit into healing hues as you travel the pilgrim road.
Rev. Dr. Craig P. Davis is minister at Grace United Reformed Church in Kennewick. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
