A Story of Worship PRESIDENT ' S PERSPECTIVE


by KEVIN STONE, PRESIDENT


As a student of the Bible and of worship, I have concluded that Christ- mas is a story of worship. When we read through the Biblical texts related


to the story of Christmas, the theme of worship is undeniably woven into every act. Let’s reflect on that for a moment.


First, my definition of worship: Worship is our re-


sponse to God’s revelation. Whenever God reveals his own nature to us, and we respond to that revelation, we are worshiping. A life of worship is a life of call and response — God calls out to us, reminding us of his love or his mercy or his grace. We respond, recognizing God for who he is and uttering forth adoration. This can be aloud or silently, alone or in a group, at home, at work or at church.


Following are a few glimpses of worship through-


out the Christmas story: In Isaiah 11, Isaiah describes the branch that will


come to restore his people. Isaiah 12 is a praise-filled response to that truth. “Give thanks … sing praises … shout and sing for joy … .”


Mary worshiped through obedience. When an angel


gave her the unimaginable task of giving birth to the Messiah, she replied: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).


Joseph also worshiped through obedience. When


an angel appeared to him and revealed God’s plan, Jo- seph abandoned the sensible approach to his problems and obeyed the will of the Lord (Matthew 1:24).


In Luke 1, we find Mary and Elizabeth, both with


child, meeting. Elizabeth “exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women …” (Luke 1:42). Mary follows Elizabeth’s blessing with one of the most beautiful moments in all of Scripture, a song of praise known as the Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior …” (Luke 1:47).


Christmas can be a time of loneliness and sadness. Look for others with whom you can share compassion and love.


Later, in the same chapter, Zechariah, who had


been mute since disbelieving the angel Gabriel’s news, burst forth in praise regarding the birth of the Messiah: “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people” (Luke 1:68).


At the birth of Christ, the angels worshiped, sing-


ing “Glory to God in the highest …” (Luke 2:14). The shepherd’s response was threefold: they went


to see the child — seeking out the glory of God; they told others what they had seen — sharing the glory of God; and they praised God for all they had seen — responding to the glory of God (Luke 2:15-20).


Mary worshiped God silently on that night. Luke


2:19 tells us she “treasured up all these things, ponder- ing them in her heart.”


The wise men from the east were willing to travel


a great distance and offer expensive gifts to the King of Kings. When they saw him, they “fell down and worshiped him” (Matthew 2:11).


At the temple, Simeon worshiped with gratitude


that God had allowed him to see his salvation before his death (Luke 2:29-32).


Do you see the call and response of worship, over


and over again? That is the story of Christmas. The greatest display of the love, mercy and grace of our amazing Creator is told through the birth, death, and resurrection of his only son. It is breathtaking and splendorous. We should rightly stand in awe.


This Christmas, look for the ways God revealed


himself through the Christmas story, and respond in worship. Look for ways he is revealing himself in your church, and worship. Watch for his blessings in your own life, and worship.


Worship however God has made you to worship.


Perhaps you will sing like the angels. You may be called to obey like Joseph. Maybe you will write out your thoughts like Isaiah or shout your praise aloud like Zechariah. You might be called to go and tell others like the shepherds, or to offer whatever gifts you have like the wise men. Perhaps you will simply sit and pon- der your own thoughts, like Mary.


Worship is our natural response to God’s revela-


tion in our lives. Contemplate the glory of God, and his immeasurable gift to us through Jesus Christ, and respond to that — naturally, honestly. Worship.


Merry Christmas.


FELLOWSHIP FOCUS, DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 2


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