I’ve been working through an advent calendar this year that I created. On each day, there is a word related to the anticipation in celebrating the birth of Jesus. Today’s word is alleluia.

I began my day with searching for this word in Scripture. Nothing in my New International Version Bible. I moved on to my New Living Translation and it shows this word is only found in the King James Version in Revelation 19:1; 19:3; 19:4 and 19:6. I went to Bible Gateway and yes, found that this is the only place alleluia is found.

So then I thought I’d try hallelujah. Perhaps that would bring more results. The NIV points me to the same verses above and indeed, the word hallelujah is there.

I wondered why we equate the word alleluia with Christmas and the best answer is that “The Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah was the reason. We are touched when we hear this majestic melody and are moved to honor Jesus through this piece.

Alleluia or hallelujah literally means “praise the Lord” in Hebrew. So while these words do not appear as frequently as I thought, their translation is scattered through Scripture.

Some of my favorite passages are:

“And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said: ‘Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.’” (Nehemiah 9:5 – NIV)

“Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” (Psalm 102:18 – NIV)

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1 – NIV)

“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1 – NIV)

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150: 6 – NIV)

In each of these passages, you can replace “praise the Lord” with alleluia or hallelujah. “Alleluia, my soul.” “Let everything that has breath alleluia.”

Now you may have already known this. I knew what alleluia meant, I just didn’t realize that word isn’t in our Bibles. I learn something new every day!

Today as I think about this word “alleluia,” I will be reminded to praise the Lord. Praise Him in all circumstances, at all times. Alleluia will be on my heart and lips today.

What about you? Are you able to praise the Lord today? To believe in your soul that God is good? Are you willing to stand up and praise the Lord today? Are you counted among the people of a future generation who has been called to praise the Lord? I pray that you are.

As I recall the Christmas story, there were many who praised God for the gift of His Beloved Son. Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, the angels. Praise flowed from their lips and hearts for the salvation God sent to this world.

Let’s not forget in the busyness of this season to praise the Lord in word and deed. Alleluia!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna