When almighty God left the splendors of His throne room of heaven to be born as a vulnerable little baby boy here on this earth…it changed EVERYTHING. His coming brought hope, joy and a revolutionary love. No one knows when Christ was actually born, but early Christians who wanted to celebrate his birth, picked a day mid-winter…the day we call Christmas. Christmas was set aside as a day to remember Christ’s humble beginnings and the purpose for His coming; our salvation.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NLT
So, what happened? How did a time set aside to celebrate the birth of our Savior turn into a season of stress, frustration, traffic jams, shopping lists and marathon shopping sprees? (Black Friday) For many, the peace and joy of Christ’s birth has been replaced by exhaustion and debt and an empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas? Is this really what Christmas should be about? Wouldn’t it be great if Christmas once again became a world-changing event? It can. It can if all of us commit this Christmas to…
Worship Fully
The quiet in Mary’s home was suddenly shattered by the astonishing appearance of an angelic being. Mary stared in shocked silence as the angel announced, “Hail O favored one! The Lord is with you! You are blessed of God above all other women.” Seeing the troubled expression on Mary’s face, he tried to reassure her. “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And listen to this! You are going to become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…”
The angel’s words continued, but Mary found it difficult to concentrate after he casually announced that she was going to become pregnant. When the angel finally stopped talking, she voiced the doubts and confusion. “How can these things be? It is physically impossible for such a thing to happen to me.”
The angel explained, “It’s not going to be because of anything you do…it’s going to be the power of the Most High that will cause it to happen. The holy Offspring you’ll have will be the result of the Holy Spirit and the child will be called the Son of God. And that is not all, listen also to this…your older cousin Elizabeth, who was considered barren, is also going to give birth to a son in just three months from now.” Then in a final effort to remove any remaining doubt and fear, the angel reminded her, “For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Mary responded, “I’m the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said about me come true.” A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where her cousin Elizabeth lived. She greeted Elizabeth as she entered the house. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth worshipped. Mary worshipped.
Later, everyone had to return to their home towns for taxing. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth used to bind horse’s legs and laid him in an animal feeding tough. Because there were so many people in town for the taxing, there was no proper lodging available for them. They stayed with the animals in the barn.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a company of angels, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” The shepherds left the fields to find the Savior and worship Him.
Eight days later when Mary & Joseph took Jesus to the temple, Simon saw Jesus and worshipped him. Much later wise men from a far country brought gifts to Jesus and worshipped him. EVERYONE came to worship Him! Why are you here today? Are you here to worship Him? I want us to enter this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest.
Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. Ps 95:1-2 NLT
HOW?
Giving gifts without thought of receiving in return
Bowing and kneeling
Singing
Jumping, leaping and dancing
Musical instruments
Clapping hands / raising hands
Being still in His presence
Shouting with a voice of triumph
Spend a moment to practice passionate worship.
Pastor Chris
