Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance; they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness. (Psalm 89: 14-16)

In many translations "festal shout" is "joyful sound." The original Hebrew is teruah.

Yom Teruah is the first of the ten days of the Jewish New Year. It features shouting, singing, and - especially - the sound of the ram's horn or shofar.

The festival begins with three blasts of the shofar: The Tekiah one long blast with a clear tone; the Shevarim: a "broken," sighing sound of three short calls; and the Teruah or "alarm," a rapid series of nine or more very short notes.

Then those assembled say aloud and loudly:

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes us holy with teaching and calls us to hear the sound of the shofar.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

Tonight many Christians begin to celebrate twelve days of Christmas. Happy are we who know the festal shout. May we be full of joy, thanksgiving and praise. May we also know the light of the Lord's countenance.

Above is a detail from the mural Our Hope for Years to Come by David Hetland.