Dear Church,
So many facets of the Christmas story and its reality for our lives ought to cause us to offer our deep praise and thanks to the Lord.
God, entering time and space to be with us ought to cause us to praise Him.
Mary was rejoiced that heaven was coming to earth and that God was going to do something in and through her.“The Word became flesh and lived among us.” (John 1:14)
Imagine where we would be if God hadn’t become man, if Jesus hadn’t come into the world? If He had not come, we would not have the opportunity to live in peace with God. There is something darker than physical darkness, and it is the darkness of the soul. To live apart from daily fellowship with God, to not have access to the Holy Spirit’s power from within, and to be tied to the penalty of sin without the grace of God, it would be the worst possible life. Oh, but
“The people walking in darknesshave seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darknessa light has dawned.”(Isaiah 9:2) That ought to move someone to give Him praise.
When God makes a way where there seems to be no way, when the impossible is made possible, it ought to cause us to praise Him.
In verse 37 of Luke 1 we read that “Nothing is impossible with God.”God can do anything.Anything.The Virgin Birth is proof.It is impossible for a woman to conceive a baby without a man being involved.Impossible.The Virgin Birth proves that something, Someone, who is more than human, who has miraculous power, is involved in human history.And that Someone, God Himself, can do what humans cannot do.Doesn’t that kind of power, that kind of awesomeness, that kind of miraculous ability move us in our spirits to offer praise and thanksgiving to God?
When we become aware that God is aware of us, it ought to cause us to praise Him.
In Luke 1:48, Mary was blown away that God was mindful of her, that He saw her, that He chose her.She was just an ordinary girl from a small town.He saw her.He knew her.God is acquainted with us intimately.He knows why our feelings are hurt.He knows why we are tired.He knows why we are stressed and anxious.He knows why we are disappointed.He knows why we are overwhelmed.He knows why we are depressed.He knows if we are living in physical pain.He knows if we have been given a raw deal at times.He knows.You know what that tells me? You matter to God. Praise Him that you can cast all your cares upon Him without having to even explain them since He already knows what they are.
When we experience the mercy of God, it ought to cause us to praise Him.
In Luke 1:50 Mary recalled that His mercy extends to those who fear Him. God has been chasing some of us for a long, long, long time.And time and time again, God puts up with His children even when we mess up. God’s greatest work may not be seen in creation or even at the entrance to the empty tomb, but it may be seen in every individual to whom God has extended mercy and grace. There is nothing better than a gift of mercy from the hand of God.For me, it is the ultimate miracle.
When we understand the impact the Messiah’s coming to the world has made, it ought to cause us to praise Him.
In verses 54-55 Mary rejoiced that God was fulfilling the promises He had made to Abraham, the Father of the Jewish nation.You and I become part of that Abrahamic Covenant when we accept Christ as our Messiah.God’s promises to Israel become God’s promises to each of us (Acts 3-4 and Romans 11).Every person of every nation from every walk of life and race and gender and status can experience God personally.
Life and eternity can be different for every person who places their trust in Christ. You can live free in your heart.You can live supported and comforted.You can live with joy and peace.
I don’t know what song you are loving this Christmas or what song your spirit is singing every day, but I pray it is a soul-level song of praise and adoration to the Lord who entered time and space to be with you, to the Lord who can do the impossible, to the God who is aware of you and your every need, to the One who pours His mercy over every surrendered life and to the Lord whose presence makes an everyday and eternal impact on those who receive Him.
Let’s worship.Let’s adore Him.Let’s allow our souls to engage on a spiritual level with our Creator, Redeemer, Messiah, and King.O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
Pastor Melissa
