If, like me, you automatically look at the day’s psalm first (well, we are musicians, for heaven’s sake), you might have noticed that Psalm 98 is also the psalm for the Christmas Mass during the Day. The refrain has different words—“The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice”—that not only looks forward to the coming of Christ the King, but connects with the coming of Christ at Christmas, when “all the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.”

The last Sunday in Ordinary Time leans forward to the eschatological dimension of Advent, and forms a bridge between Ordinary Time, Advent, Christmas, and the entire liturgical year.

All three readings point to the end of the world. Fundamentalists and literalists may take these readings as fear-filled commentary on the chaos in today’s world, played out on the nightly news. But we are commanded to hope, even—or especially—when hope seems futile. My “In the Day of the Lord” (OCP) does not ignore the chaos, the wants, the fear, the terrors of war, the tears—but looks forward joyfully to the day when the sun of justice brings true healing, lasting peace and, always, hope.

The classic gospel song “Soon and Very Soon,” by Andrae Crouch, speaks with simplicity and joy of what we have been promised will come, in spite of trials. God will overcome. The Quaker hymn “How Can I Keep From Singing” also speaks of tempests and tyrants, tumult and truth, affirming, “No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I’m clinging.”

Our singing sinks into our bones and revives our spirits. How can we keep from singing?