Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!  I just returned home from my third (yes, you read that right) Christmas Eve service of the day.  One of our family traditions has been to attend the 11 pm service somewhere, then open one gift before heading to bed.  After my brother and I went to college, we stopped this tradition as a family, but I still enjoy the late service on my own.  There is something about singing "Silent Night" by candlelight.

As I sat in the late service tonight, I couldn't help but compare the services I participated in today.  Two of them were at the church at which I am a member--heavily attended, songs projected on the wall, lights, worship band, people raising hands as we sang, light shining from real candles (btw, with 200-300 candles, there really was no need for house lights!).  The third service was held at a more traditional, denominational church--fewer people, songs from a hymnal or printed sheet, liturgy, piano music, and light from battery powered candles. 

While there were obvious differences between the services, there were also many similarities--Christmas greetings, familiar faces, families worshipping together.  The most important similarity was this:  people gathering corporately to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, God coming in the form of man for one purpose:  to redeem mankind from a life of sin so that we may live eternally.  I was reminded tonight that it doesn't matter where or how we worship.  What matters is that we worship the Living God, Creator and Sustainer of life, Who sent His Son to save us.  This Son Who had to live a perfect life as a man, had to come in the form of a man.  He had to be tempted and tested and tried.  He had to die a suffering death as a living sacrifice so that we may be redeemed.

I'll close with Paul's thoughts on Christ from Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV):
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess tht Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

B.U.S.Y.

I've learned something the past few days, even weeks.  Something I think I've been avoiding, even denying, about my life.  I like to be busy.  I enjoy doing "things": get togethers, meetings, practices, worship services, service opportunities.  If something sounds interesting, or challenging, or fun, then I'll more than likely say yes, regardless of what is already on the schedule.  Until it comes to the point when I'm physically exhausted, mentally drained, and emotionally broken.  That happened last week, and I have realized that I haven't been filling my time with what God wants.  I haven't carved out the time for HIM in my schedule.  I haven't been seeking HIM.  I've carved out time to take on an additional volunteer responsibility at church.  I've carved out time to spend on FaceBook and to watch TV shows.  I've made time to shop and attend parties and gatherings.  But, I haven't spent the time I NEED to spend with God.  Yes, it's the holidays and all (at least most) of these things are a result of that, but some things are a creation of my desire to be busy. 
I heard it said one time that being busy is "Being Under Satan's Yoke."  The thing about satan's yoke is that it will break you down, usually slowly and without us being aware.  We eventually feel the strain and stress physically, emotionally, and even spiritually.  Instead of falling into this trap (and I've done it more than once), we should live lives that are full--full of Christ, filled with His Holy Spirit, and even overflowing into the lives of others. 
I have to make some serious changes to my schedule over the next few weeks, including telling some one that I cannot, at this time, serve in their area of ministry (though I want to).  As a professor once said, it's not a question of bad and good, but a question of what is good and what is best.  All of the things I've scheduled for the next two weeks are good, but which of them are best for my relationship with Christ and my ability to serve Him and show Him to those around me?  My challenge to you is to do the same thing:  look at your schedule (or your children's) and determine what is BEST.  

Worship

On many a Sunday morning, I find myself commenting about the amazing (or not-so amazing) time of worship brought to us by whichever team is up.  As a matter of fact, I did so today.  And, in truth, it was a great worship service:  amazing leader (who is interviewing for the position), great band and back-up singers, nicely blended sound mix and lighting.  Such a setting creates an easy atmosphere for worship.  I can create a worship setting at home as well.  All I need is a praise CD and a CD player or my computer, and a few minutes of uninterrupted time with no distractions.  This, too, can be fairly easy to set up.  However, what about those times when we face constant distractions?  The kids are too noisy or are fighting, the phone keeps ringing, our mind continually wanders?  In other words, what about every day life?  Can we worship in the midst of all that we do?  The easy answer is yes, we can worship as we do the dishes and cook dinner.  But let's be realistic.  How many of us actually DO that?  The answer we KNOW to be right in our minds is not always what is practiced in our hearts. 
I work the sound board for a worship team at church.  This requires practice once a week and all day one Sunday every four.  I am also an "active" worshipper, in that I like to raise my hands, clap, close my eyes and get "lost" in the moment.  This is not possible when I'm in charge of making sure no one creates feedback, making sure the mix/blend is as close to perfect as possible, thinking ahead to the next step or task for the morning.  Therefore, it is important that I worship alone prior to Sunday morning worship.  While I know this is the thing I should do, it often gets overlooked in the busyness of the week.  This week was no exception.  I left an amazing physical environment for worship and now face a whole week where I am responsible to create that opportunity for myself.  I must be in tune with God, sensing His prompting to step outside of my schedule and into His.  Then, regardless of my responsibilities, when Sunday rolls around, I know that I have met my Lord and communed with Him.
As we face full (even over-full) schedules in the coming weeks toward Christmas, can we set aside a few minutes to worship God?  Can we sing a praise song as we clean or offer a prayer of thanksgiving as we drive to work?  Can I reflect on God's goodness as I walk the halls at school?  God can, and does, meet us in these places.  All we have to do is be open and give Him allowance to meet with us.