They say it came upon a midnight clear on a silent night, a holy night. It happened in the little town of Bethlehem and brought great joy to the world. The first noel from angels we have heard on high sang as the shepherds asked those around them, “Do your hear what I hear?”.
“Hark! The herald angels sing, ” they said to the people everywhere. For away in a manger lay sweet little Jesus boy causing many people to wonder what child is this and asking Mary, “Did you know?” Many traveled for miles, saying along the way, “O come let us a adore Him and proclaiming, “God rest ye gentlemen, for the King of the world has come!” As three wise men followed the beautiful star of Bethlehem we are willing in our hearts to go tell it on the mountain for peace has come to earth.
Year after year we sing the traditional Christmas Carols mostly from memory not meaning. Many of us learned these songs when we were very little along with Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is coming to town. So this year I am pausing to reflect if these songs really have any meaning for me. I love to worship. I love to sing songs to the One who created us for this very thing. Nothing brings me into the courts of His Presence like worship. So today I ponder what all the fuss is about Christmas Carols.
In a way I feel like we should sing them all year round as a witnessing tool, after all they proclaim the birth of Jesus and what He came to do. And personally do we even really know for certain December 25th is actually Jesus’ birthday? But, let’s put all of that aside and truly focus on what Christmas really is. Webster’s dictionary defines Christmas like this:
Christ·masnoun
In the description of Christmas it says celebration which means to me a happy, joyous time, yet so many spend the holidays depressed and unable to enter into the celebrations. Many are wounded and are pushing Jesus away rather than bringing themselves into His presence and allowing Him to heal them. Jesus came to save us from sin and in that moment on the cross he bore every sickness and disease. To me this is cause for continual celebration, more than just a season of songs.
It matters not to God which song we choose to sing when we come into His presence it is all about the heart and a song which comes from a place a gratitude and thankfulness. It’s not about the tune or the lyrics, it’s about the attitude and motive. If we are just worshiping out of obligation or it’s just what we do on Sunday mornings our hearts may not be in it. Worship is a continual succession of praise to God. A moment to moment intimacy with God Himself.
So this Christmas season as we pour out our worship to God let’s remember His amazing grace and sing praises to His name. Let us sing here I am Lord, come abide with me. Sing to Him how great thou art and great is Your faithfulness. Let Him know it is well with your soul and crown Him with many crowns. Turn your eyes upon Jesus and sing holy, holy, holy. Surrender it all and sing hosanna! Just tell Him that He is worthy of it all.
Dear Lord, it is with a humble heart we come to You asking You to show us what true worship is. We thank you and praise you for creating us to worship and we long for a deeper intimacy with you. Show us how to enter your courts with thanksgiving. Teach us how to praise You. We open our hearts to a deeper intimacy with You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Step Upon the Golden Road with Me! 