Some encouragement to stir up the true Christmas Spirit, a spirit of worship.
As you begin your Christmas festivities, I would like to give you a few thoughts to help stir up your heart towards worship of Christ as you eat, exchange gifts, sing carols, and fellowship with friends and family.
Take a Step Back and See What God Has Done
Take some time to consider what is happening across the world. The world is filled with the sounds of the angel’s song of the birth of the Christ. What began as an audience of a few shepherds has grown to an audience of the world. Billions of tongues will sing of the light of Christ coming into this world. The peace of the gospel of Christ will be proclaimed through the speakers of many homes, as O Holy Night plays in the background of family gatherings.
Remind yourself over the next few days that God is achieving his purposes through Jesus, the gospel, and His church. Consider how the gospel has gone forth from a humble night in Bethlehem and spread across the globe like leaven in a lump of dough. This is a great testimony to the supernatural power of the gospel.
Let this encourage your heart, strengthen your faith, and stir up in you a spirit of worship and faith in God. He has declared His eternal purposes for the salvation of mankind, and He is accomplishing them. Let the worldwide celebration of Christmas renew your soul and draw you nearer to Christ.
Sing, Sing, Sing
Sing much over the next two days. Enjoy the heart-warming melody of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Shout with cheer the verses of Jingle Bells, but let your singing include many hymns: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Holy Night, Joy to the World, O Come, O Come Immanuel. But don’t just sing them, listen to them with seeking hearts. These faithful carols have gospel gems tucked away in their verses and is sweet food for the soul. Listen with ears to hear and you will find gifts from the Holy Spirit that will bring great joy to your Christmas celebrations.
Even listen closely to the hymns you wouldn’t expect to find much Christian truth. For example, this past week, my soul was stirred by Little Drummer Boy.
Little baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give a King, pa rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum?
What a sweet reminder of our unworthiness of Christ and his salvation. What could we offer him in return? What a sweet reminder of the worthiness of Christ, who was rich, became poor in order that we, the poor, might become rich. What shall we offer to such a King? Let us offer what he deserves, worship: exaltation, adoration, and praise. Worship him as you make that Christmas meal, as you wrap those presents, as you clean up that Christmas morning mess. Play the drum for Him!
Prepare Your Mind and Heart to Serve
Since Christmas tends to bring us around more friends and family than any other time of the year, it is a hotbed for egos, pride, and selfishness, and the fruit of those things are always conflict and resentment. The greatest force to fight against such temptations is to have the mind of Christ.
1. Don’t act out of selfish ambition.
2. Count others more significant than yourself.
3. Look for the interest of others, not just yourself.
This is the heart and mind of Christ. Strive by faith to interact with friends and family and you will glorify Christ and celebrate with true joy. Yes, if you take this approach, you may not get your way, you may not get what you want, but that is not a surprise. Consider the words of Christ:
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
Be okay with missing out on something for the sake of loving and serving others, because your reward is Christ, and there is no greater reward than knowing Him.
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3
Will you make an effort to worship Christ this Christmas? Look around and examine how far the gospel as spread. Fill the air with the melodies of peace on earth through joyfully singing the carols of the season. Will you trust Jesus, deny yourself of temporary satisfactions, and love and serve others with the Spirit of Christ. This is truly the Christmas Spirit!
By God's grace may this be true for you this Christmas.
May I invite you to join us, at Ozarks Bible Church, to worship Christ. Click here to learn more about us.
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