Our Advent Mix Tape – Psalm 96, Peace When the World Feels Off-Key | Perspectives FUMCSD Pastors Podcast (S3E13)
Nov 30, 2025
Summary
Advent—the time in between—is here. But many of us struggle to feel “Christmas-y” when life isn’t where we hoped it would be. If peace feels out of tune for you right now, this episode is for you.
Detail
Advent—the time in between—is here. But many of us struggle to feel “Christmas-y” when life isn’t where we hoped it would be. If peace feels out of tune for you right now, this episode is for you.
Join Rev. Trudy and Rev. Brittany – two of the three female pastors of First United Methodist Church of San Diego – as they discuss their Advent Mixtape, exploring how ancient and modern songs can ground us in peace in a world that never stops moving.
While most Christmas songs feel light, airy, and escapist – giving the false perception that peace is only achievable in stillness and calm, David’s Psalmody, Psalm 96 – one of the “lesser-known songs of Christmas” – provides a more honest and hopeful vision of peace.
In this progressive digital Bible-study conversation, explore:
- The meaning of Advent as a season of the in-between
- What “salvation” means in the Hebrew Bible and Psalms
- How nature participates in healing, peace, and salvation
- The difference between societal peace and inward peace
- Practices and touchstones to stay centered amid holiday chaos
- How music helps reset our anxiety and restore calm
We invite you to keep the conversation going as you journey through Advent. Join our in-person Convergence group, visit our Patreon Channel, or gather friends and family to discuss these reflection questions:
- What role does music play in your wellbeing?
- What is the “in-between” of here and not yet that you are in right now?
- What role does nature play in your understanding of being made whole?
Want to hear the rest of Our Advent Mixtape? Join us for Season 3, Episodes 14-16, for reflections on hope, joy, and love. New episodes drop Sunday mornings.
In today’s episode, we share a selection from Psalm 96 (NRSV), and, as a bonus treat, the full psalm from The Message translation below. As you read it, consider: What tune do you think would fit this modern translation of the ancient song?
Psalms 96
1-2a Sing God a brand-new song!
Earth and everyone in it, sing!
Sing to God—worship God!
2b-3 Shout the news of his victory from sea to sea,
Take the news of his glory to the lost,
News of his wonders to one and all!
4-5a For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.
His furious beauty puts the other gods to shame;
Pagan gods are mere tatters and rags.
5b-6 God made the heavens—
Royal splendor radiates from him,
A powerful beauty sets him apart.
7Bravo, God, Bravo!
Everyone join in the great shout: Encore!
In awe before the beauty, in awe before the might.
8-9Bring gifts and celebrate,
Bow before the beauty of God,
Then to your knees—everyone worship!
10Get out the message—God Rules!
He put the world on a firm foundation;
He treats everyone fair and square.
11Let’s hear it from Sky,
With Earth joining in,
And a huge round of applause from Sea.
12Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,
Animals, come dance,
Put every tree of the forest in the choir—
13An extravaganza before God as he comes,
As he comes to set everything right on earth,
Set everything right, treat everyone fair.
Scripture taken from The Message, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
