Worship Fully
We are on the mission of God to spread the good news of Immanuel to a lost and dying world. Shame on us if we allow society to settle for a consumeristic Christmas! Who will redeem this holiday, if not the church? Instead of judging those who do not know the truth, sing God’s truth with great fervor and more confidence than anyone’s ever heard. There’s something wrong when our friends and neighbors visit our churches during Advent and hear us singing songs of the Incarnation as simple quaint, traditional folk songs. The world has been changed, we have been freed from the slavery of sin and selfishness, and we have the message of true hope. We must not allow ourselves to settle for the temporal, and we should not remove ourselves from those who need this message. This message from worship director Bruce Benedict gives us a beautiful call:
“Advent is a time to cry out. A time to trim the wicks and ready oneself for the final battle of all things. Advent is a time to make a joyful noise so loud that the angelic hosts are roused in jealousy of our Christ-infused praise.”
As we gather on Christmas Eve, let’s sing beautifully and enjoy the peaceful moments of quiet, but when we sing, do so with all of our hearts sing the praise of our rescuer and redeemer, Jesus the Christ!
.
Today’s Scripture Passage
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:6-7