Welcome to Church of the City, New York's Advent Devotionals.

Jesus was good news in the first century, and he is still good news today.

In the Christmas stories recounted in Scripture, people always responded to Jesus with

amazement and praise. This response came from deep longings and heartbreak being met with God breaking in to

fulfill his promises, offer his forgiveness, bring his justice and peace, and extend his love.

This Christmas, we hope you will have your own encounter with the person of Jesus and the

good news of his birth.

And like those of old,

let your song of praise resound to the world around you.

Today's reading comes from Psalm 96. Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name name proclaim his salvation day after day declare his glory among the nations his marvelous deeds among all peoples

for great is the Lord and most worthy of praise he is to be feared above all gods for all the gods of the

nations are idols but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him.

Strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord all you families of nations.

Ascribe to the Lord, glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory do his name.

Bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. Tremble before him all the earth. Say among

the nations, the Lord reigns. The world is firmly established. It cannot be moved. He will judge

the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice. Let the earth be

glad. Let the sea resound in all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant and everything in them.

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