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“Jubila-, Jubilate Deo. Jubila-Jubilate Deo.” Imagine a sixty voice choir singing this phrase in four part harmony over and over again. They modulate from one key to another as they gradually increase the volume until they reach a brilliant and dramatic finale. The phrase and the melody have been haunting my soul all week. It is part of a musical number we rehearsed Sunday night. We are practicing for a Christmas Cantata scheduled for early December. I think that this Latin phrase meaning, “Sing out joyfully to God” will haunt many a soul when we perform it. I wish you could all hear it now. It is wonderful how music can nourish our souls with joy. I used a new hymn during last Sunday’s worship service. It was about singing praise to God and making sacrifices of joy. That tune stayed with me, too. It makes me remember what a joy-filled experience it is to give spontaneously when spurred by inner happiness. Far too often, we deprive others of this joy. Instead of a simple thank you and a heartfelt hug of gratitude, we turn down what others offer us. We deprive both of us of joy. We have missed out on a great deal of joy if we have never had the privilege of giving something away—freely, extravagantly, joyfully—or receiving something the same way.
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