The Psalms of Ascent (Ps. 120–134) were sung by pilgrims on the move, climbing toward Jerusalem. Advent is the same kind of journey: not static reflection, but a faithful movement toward God’s promised presence.

HOPE:  Psalm 130 — Waiting in the Dark “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD… I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits.” (Ps. 130:1, 5) Psalm 130 names the honest starting place of Advent — exile, guilt, helplessness, and unanswered longing. 

PEACE – “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord… Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you.’” (Ps. 122:6) In Psalm 122, peace is: Right relationship with God’s presence, Right ordering of community, Right administration of justice

JOY – “Our mouths were filled with laughter… “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Ps. 126:5) Psalm 126 holds past redemption, present joy, and future hope together.

LOVE – “Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD.” (Ps. 134:1) Psalm 134 — Being in God’s Presence by GRACE not JUDGEMENT. 

God’s presence in Jesus makes God FAMILIAR to us. He reveals God’s NATURE and God’s INTENTION.
God is LOVE and God is LOVING. 

 Love Moves Toward, Not Away - “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) THEREFORE: Love Empathizes Before It Redeems

 Love Embraces Humility, Not Power - “Though he was in the form of God… he emptied himself.” (Phil. 2:6–7) THEREFORE: Love Bears the Cost of Redemption

 Love Commits to Abiding Presence - “They shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us).” (Matt. 1:23) THEREFORE: True love enjoys permanence 

Because we’ve been redeemed by Christ, we are able to IMAGE back to God His glory. Because we’re loved, we love.  Because we’re blessed, we blessed. 

  • ACKNOWLEDGE His nearness with reverent worship - Psalm 134 is sung at the summit. Blessing God is the pilgrim’s response to having arrived — God has drawn near, and love answers presence with praise. 
  • OFFER ourselves in grateful devotion — “Lift up your hands to the holy place.” Release those things that our hands hold on to and find freedom in devotion.
  • REMAIN with God, not rush past Him. — To bless God is to dwell with Him- staying attentive, faithful, and loving even when no one else is watching.
  • ECHO heaven’s song on earth — Blessing God is aligning our lives with the eternal praise already resounding around His throne. 
  • Continue to RECEIVE His blessing even as we bless Him — Love is mutual delight - as we bless the Lord, He sends us out blessed.