Daily Devotion for Saturday, December 16, 2023
Our word for today is WORSHIP. The Christmas story is a story of worship. What is worship? Worship is declaring the greatness of God. And there are many ways to do it. The angels sang, the wise men bowed, and the shepherds spread word of all they had seen and heard. They all worshiped in different ways. How will you worship Jesus this Christmas? I want to encourage you to do all three.
Do what the angels did. The angels sang in worship. The Bible say in Luke 2:13-14, “Suddenly a great army of heaven's angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God: (14) “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!” (GNB). Do what the angels did. Sing Christmas carols. I’m not talking about Frosty and Rudolph. I mean the songs of our faith that point the way to Jesus. They are packed with biblical truth, and they are filled with worship. So sing those kinds of songs. Keep them in your heart and mind. Keep them in your home and your car. Keep them in your headphones.
Let songs of true worship be the soundtrack of the season for you. It doesn’t matter if you don’t think you have a good voice. God gave you your voice, and if He doesn’t like it, He can give you another one. Besides, the Bible says in Psalm 100:1, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (KJV). So as long as it’s joyful and noisy, you’re on the right track. Sing!
Do what the shepherds did. The shepherds worshiped by sharing the Good News. The Bible says this in Luke 2:17-20, “After seeing Him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. (18) All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, (19) but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. (20) The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them” (NLT)
You have a story too, and you can worship God by telling your story to others. Here are some questions to help you tell your story to others:
- What have you seen and heard in your life with Jesus?
- Where, when, and how did you meet him?
- What difference has he made in your life? Others might be amazed by what you have to say.
Do what the wise men did. They worshiped through their giving. The Bible says in Matthew 2:1-2,
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked in Matthew 2:1-2, 11, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men] from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, (2) “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose,] and we have come to worship Him . . . (11)They entered the house and saw the Child with His mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Jim gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (NLT).
Notice that the wise men worshiped Jesus when He could do nothing for them in return. And notice the sequence of events in their worship. First, the wise men presented themselves, then they presented their gifts. Before they offered their wealth, they offered their hearts. That must be the order of our worship too.
So this Christmas, do what the angels did — worship with singing. Do what the shepherds did — come and see, then go and tell. And do what the wise men did — bow your heart in humility in the presence of God and remember this: what God wants most from you in worship is you.
Scripture to Meditate On: Luke 2:30-32, “Simeon said, “I have seen Your salvation, (31) which You have prepared for all people. (32) He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of Your people Israel!” (NLT).
Prayer to Pray: “Lord, Jesus, I want to worship You like those who first celebrated Your birth. So I will sing with the angels, even though I may not sound like one. Like the shepherds, I will tell other people the Good News of how I first met you. And like the wise men, I will offer all that is in my heart and my hands to You in worship. In Your name , the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen!”