Till all things now living unite . . .

A swallow flew into the fellowship hall at church this morning. We had just finished singing

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
to God the Creator triumphantly raise,
who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
who still guides us on to the end of our days . . .
We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing
with glad adoration a song let us raise
till all things now living unite in thanksgiving:
"To God in the highest, hosanna and praise!"

The swallow was in a panic to get back outside. No one could coax it toward a door. A few people were uncomfortable with a bird flying around them so closely. Finally someone caught the bird in his hat and released it back outside.

Despite our hymn about all of God's creatures uniting in a song of thanksgiving, it may be a long, long while before people and birds unite in songs of praise.