One of the themes that we hear in the Christmas story is worship. The fact of Christ's incarnation stirred worship over and over again.

Luke 1:46-56 - After Mary went to Elizabeth's house and the promised was confirmed for her again, she broke out into song. (You may hear this song referred to as The Magnificat.)
Luke 1:68-79 - After John the Baptist was born, his father, Zechariah, began to worship God and his song is recorded.
Luke 2:13-14 - When the angel had finished announcing Jesus' birth to the shepherds, a whole host of angels appeared to fill the night sky with worship.
Luke 2:20 - When the shepherds went to meet the newborn Jesus, their immediate response was to glorify and praise God.
Luke 2:29-32, 38 - Simeon and Anna couldn't help but worship when they met Jesus and his parents in the temple.

It seems that when people encountered Jesus that first Christmas their response was worship. The divine and beautiful mystery of Jesus coming to earth to redeem us from sin hasn't changed in all the years since the first nativity scene. And so, this Christmas, when you look into your life, do you hear worship?

Along with worship came joy. There was so much joy exploding from the hearts of everyone who knew that Jesus had come. Joy is something that the world imitates with temporary happiness but this Christmas, when you gaze again at the words of the story, do you hear joy?

We pray that as you celebrate Christ this week, your heart would be filled with worship and joy, that you would find yourself stepping into the story with Mary, Zechariah, the angels, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna and find that same wonder that was so present at the first Christmas.

Joyful Christmas Blessings!
P. Tracy