I listened to a short video clip by Chuck Swindoll, Senior Pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, and radio personality, author. He was reminding us of what one of the purposes of Christmas is. He stated it's not about the rushing around and preparing and buying gifts, wrapping them and getting ready for our earthly Christmas (my words).
He was reminding us that our gift to Him is our worship of Him. During the hustle and bustle of this season we can get ourselves wrapped up (no pun intended) in the busyness of Christmas instead of Who Christmas is all about.
Christmas is a time of gift-giving. It's not so much about our receiving, but our giving. We've all heard that before. Jesus told us as the ultimate Gift giver that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive. I even think that's a form of worshiping God if done with the right attitude. I have always loved shopping for presents for others. Not for a pat on the back or "oohs and ahhhs." I have nearly always given much thought about what the other person's likes were and shopped accordingly, looking for that one gift the individual really would appreciate. And a handmade gift is even more special. I'm not saying I always picked the right thing.... I can think of plenty of times when I thought my gift was really special only to hear words of criticism. But God knows your heart and what you put into the thought process toward giving. The hardest part is giving to those who have everything already!
But back to the gift of worship. All God wants, all Jesus wants, is our attention...and our love. He came to earth out of love for us. He wants to know in our hearts we are truly thankful for this time of year and for the Gift He is. God, out of love for us, gave us the gift of His only begotten Son, Jesus, who was born to be our Savior in this lost world. And Jesus, in the same love for all, gave the gift of eternal life in Him, through His birth, death and resurrection. I can't say it enough. There is only one Gift that is the most important in this life...the Gift of Jesus Christ. If we are worshipping anything else, we have lost the meaning.
When we belong to Him, are in Him, our hearts should be filled with joy and worship should come easily...through thankfulness, prayer and music. Even when we get together with friends and the name of Jesus is brought up in conversation, He is overjoyed with that. He has a Book of Remembrance where all the times we've spent talking about Jesus (cussing in His name does not count) is recorded. He smiles on us.
So lift up your hearts this season. Lift up your song to the Lord our Savior. As I stated yesterday, He is Immanuel, God with us. He hears our praises (and knows our thoughts). Rejoice in the Gift of Jesus and rejoice in your relationship with Him if you have one. Rejoicing is worship! As we receive His Gift of life, as we rejoice, He will rejoice in us. Rejoice in Him out loud or in your heart. He will be so pleased.
Oh, yeah ... He is the gift! And I smiled too, when I read "cussing in His name does not count!" Love it!
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