The other day I heard the song
“Carol of the Fryers” for the first time this
season. I was moved by it, and not just because I have a soft spot
for animals. It made me think about the fact that barn animals may
well have been the first witnesses to the birth of Jesus, and I see
no reason to think that they would not worship their Creator. Years
later at the Triumphal Entry, Jesus would say, “I tell you, if
these were silent, the very stones would cry out” (Luke 19:37 ESV).
All of creation is made to give glory to God. It is only mankind that
has the choice of whether or not we will bow in worship to Him,
though one day that too will change (Phil. 2:10). If the shepherds
had not heeded the angelic message and the wise men had not followed
the star, there would still have been worshipers to greet the King of
kings. If the people were missing and the animals were silent, the
very stones would have cried out.
Psalm 148 (ESV)
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the
heavens;
praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His
angels;
praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and
moon,
praise Him, all you
shining stars!
4 Praise Him, you highest
heavens,
and you waters above the
heavens!
5 Let them praise the name
of the Lord!
For He commanded and they
were created.
6 And He established them
forever and ever;
He gave a decree, and it
shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the
earth,
you great sea creatures
and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and
mist,
stormy wind fulfilling His
word!
9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all
cedars!
10 Beasts and all
livestock,
creeping things and flying
birds!
11 Kings of the earth and
all peoples,
princes and all rulers of
the earth!
12 Young men and maidens
together,
old men and children!
13 Let them praise the
name of the Lord,
for His name alone is
exalted;
His majesty is above earth
and heaven.
14 He has raised up a horn
for His people,
praise for all His saints,
for the people of Israel
who are near to Him.
Praise the Lord!
Have a blessed Christmas
celebrating the birth of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Prince
of Peace, our Savior and our God!
© 2016 Dawn Rutan
