Luke 15:8-10
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one.  Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?  And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Zephaniah 3:17b
“He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Nehemiah 8:9-10, 12
“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God.  Do not mourn or weep.’  For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.  Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’…Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.”

Saviour God, you are the host and the occasion for the great feast.

You seek us with the desire to sing in celebration over us.  There is a jubilant cry in heaven when you find us, and the angels are given reason to rejoice.

Let our hearts echo a responsive gladness when we see your face, O God.  May we join together as your people to share festive food and song as we hear your word and know that you are good.

In gratitude we praise the name of Jesus Christ, who found our lost souls and made us his pure delight.

Listen to ‘Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven‘ (track 10) by Enfield