Praise with dance

One of the unfortunate aspects of traditional worship is that worshipers may get overly self-conscious about whether their behavior might disturb what they imagine to be the spirit everyone else gathered wants to experience. Children who are unburdened by those perceived expectations are a blessing to us all (even if they may drive their parents crazy).

This morning I was treated to the sight of a 2 1/2 year old child of the congregation who was moved to dance to the opening hymn. Holding her father's hand on one side and her mother's hand on the other side, she bounced and wiggled and waved while the congregation sang the opening hymn. She may not have understood all the words the older people were singing, but the broad smile on her face assured me that she had the spirit right.

All hail (bounce) the power (wiggle) of Jesus' name! (wave)
Let angels (big steps) prostrate fall (jump);
Bring forth (jump) the royal diadem (wiggle),
And crown (bounce) Him (wave) Lord of all (big steps);
Bring forth (jump) the royal diadem (wave),
And crown (bounce) Him (bounce) Lord (bounce) of all! (wave)

And on another note, thanks to submergence for pointing out the worship songs refrigerator magnets.