Last year, as we were headed to my sister´s house on Christmas Eve, my husband and I picked up a few last minute items at a large supermarket. My musings on the variety of shoppers populating the shop on this special night turned to dismay when I headed past an aisle where Christmas items had been stocked only days earlier. Gone were the splashes of green and red. Now pink and red heart shaped items for Valentine´s Day filled the shelves.
Christmas had not yet arrived, but it was already gone.
Stripped of its marketing strategy, the retail makeover revealed to me the human desire for more - whether it´s more money or the drive to make holidays bigger and better. While I understand that this is the nature of a consumerism society, I can´t help but wonder what it reveals about the human heart. How quickly secondary things can steal our attention! And we lose the ability to be in awe of something - or better yet, Someone (Luke 2:11).
Rich with detail, the record of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:1-16) reveals to us a central truth : we´re called to worship Jesus - the Messiah who came to save us. Granted, we can´t always slow down the events of life, but our worship shouldn´t be based on our external circumstances. It should be based in what God has done and the glory of His Son. May we follow the shepherds' example and glorify and praise God this Christmas : "The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all that had heard and seen" (v.20).
In this most precious time of year, let´s be mindful to let the Holy Spirit lead our celebrations; let´s not move to the rhythms of the world. The Saviour of all mankind is worthy of our full worship. - Regina Franklin
Read
Luke 2:1-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galileee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let´s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Isaiah 9:1-7
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtall, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan -
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian´s defeat,
you have shattered the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior´s boot used in battle and
every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David´s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
From that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Question to Ponder
What have you valued most this week?
Can you cultivate awe and wonder in your relationship with Jesus or is it something that just happens?
How can you create an atmosphere of worship wherever you are this Christmas season?
**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue
No comments:
Post a Comment