Angels from the realms of glory,
wing your flight o'er all the earth;
you who sang creations story,
now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship,
come and worship,
worship Christ,
the newborn King!
Shepherds in the fields abiding,
watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
yonder shines the infant Light:
Come and worship ...
Sages, leave your contemplations,
brighter visions beam afar;
seek the great Desire of nations;
you have seen His natal star:
Come and worship ...
Though an infant now we view Him,
He will share His Father's throne,
gather all the nations to Him;
every knee shall then bow down:
Come and worship ...
Saints and angels join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
evermore their voices raising
to th'Eternal Three in One:
Come and worship ...
Written by James Montgomery 1816
Christmas is a big deal, it surrounds us in many shapes and forms for a large portion of this time of year. Christmas is a great controversy as well, which I suppose is really no great surprise. Underlying the life and seasons in this world there is a war going on. A spiritual war. A war between light and darkness, truth and lies, God and Satan, the way of Jesus and the way of the world.
For those who are disciples of Christ, every facet of life in this world needs to be considered in light of God's truth. The traditions and celebrations handed down to us from past generations are no different. Every Christian is responsible for their own way before God. For myself, and our family here at Marigold Cottage, everything is evaluated with this foundation in mind:
The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
Psalm 24:1,2
Everything in this world is God's. Nature itself plays its part in sharing the gospel of Christ across the earth. Can traditions and objects have a meaning besides what those living in darkness can give it? Yes - because they do not belong to those people. They belong to God, the Lord and King of the Universe. God Himself has given meaning and purpose to all He has created.
The birth of Christ is worth celebrating. Our God and King is worth worshipping.
Worship...is an attitude. It is a spirit, something on the inside. It is an attitude of the heart that is so filled with wonder and gratitude at what God has done that there is not a thought of personal needs or personal blessings, only total abandonment to God in praise and adoration. That's worship. It is the most selfless thing we do. It is, as the hymn writer puts it, to be lost in wonder, love and praise. It is to be so grateful and so filled with wonder at what the Lord has done that we lose ourselves in adoring worship, adoring praise.John MacArthur , The True Christmas Spirit.
Some ideas to explore and think about regarding this Christmas season, if you are interested.
2 comments:
It is good to read posts of brethren who are sincerely worshipping the Lord, whatever day it is. As a non observer of the 25th December as "Christmas" I wholeheartedly agree that the birth of our Lord is a wonderous event to remember and ponder. ( I have just posted on this) What has disturbed me this year is the increasing amount of worldly traditons and materialistic thought among Christians (real life and bloggers). I have been touched by those genuinely seeking to obverse the day in a God honouring way.
Beautifully written Amy!
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