They Worshiped, We Worship
by Ellen Clodfelter
I can’t believe we are only a few days away from Christmas. Both of our boys are grown now, and I miss the days when they were little and hearing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. I miss seeing the excitement in their eyes as they see all of the presents under the tree. I can still hear the squeals of joy and excitement. Everything was so new and fresh to them.
Every year before a single present was unwrapped, we would tell the Christmas story. One year we threw Jesus a birthday party complete with a cake. Another year I had everyone unwrap parts of the nativity set and read the Scripture associated with it. One year as the story was told, we built a manger out of wood and nails.
In December our focus is on the spiritual discipline of worship. Usually, I associate Christmas with feelings of celebration, but this year when I tell the Christmas story, I’m going to focus on worshiping God. So here goes.
Over two thousand years ago, Joseph and Mary were traveling to Bethlehem, when the time came for the baby to be born, Mary wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger.
That night there were shepherds living in the fields nearby, when an angel with a great company of heavenly hosts appeared to them. The angel said, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. A Savior has been born; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Praising God they said, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. The shepherds glorified and praised God for all the things they had heard and seen.
Magi from the east came to Jerusalem looking for the baby born king of the Jews. They had seen the star and came to worship Him. On coming to the house they were overjoyed, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. While there a righteous man named Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit and took Jesus in his arms and praised God.
(from both Luke 2 and Matthew 2)
In every part of the Christmas story people worshipped Him. And remember that worship is a verb—an action! The angels praised God with their voices. The shepherds glorified and praised God by telling others everything that they had seen and heard. The Magi worshiped Him by giving extravagant gifts. Simeon praised God at the Temple. Even Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.
This year, when our we come together Christmas morning, before we open any gifts, we will take time to not only celebrate the birth of Jesus, but we will spend time worshipping Him. We will worship him by praising God with our voices like the angels. We will worship Him by telling others what we have seen and heard like the Shepherds. We will worship God by the giving of gifts like the Magi, and by lifting our hands in worship of God as did Simeon. And like Mary, we will spend time pondering the difference Jesus has made in our lives when He came to be our Savior and Lord.
From our home to yours, we wish you a worship-filled Christmas!
