Christmas Worship

As the Christmas season rapidly approaches, we are reminded all around us of the spirit of the season, and we often hear the timeless proverb, “It is better to give than to receive.” I have a friend who, every year, feels it is her responsibility to remind the entire world not to forget about Thanksgiving. After the costumes and candy have left the store shelves (and sometimes even before!), the commercial world is immediately overtaken by the sights, sounds, colors, and products of Christmas. While we all enjoy the food and fellowship (and time off from school) that Thanksgiving brings, perhaps we don’t always recognize its significance in the full scope of the year.

In the tradition of Christian worship, we give our offerings as an act of worship in response to our thankfulness for Christ’s sacrifice for us. Author Grace Noll Crowell captures this sentiment wonderfully in the first line of her hymn, “Because I have been given much, I, too, must give.” The spirit of Thanksgiving should spur us on into the spirit of giving we associate with Christmas.

In Matthew 2, we read about the visit of wise men from the east that followed a star to come and worship the Christ child. The scripture says, “…they fell down and worshiped him.” These wise men were not Jewish—they had no stake in the historical religious tradition of Jesus and His coming; and, it is speculated they didn’t even really have a full understanding of His divinity. Jesus was only a child: not yet a teacher, not yet a prophet, not yet the once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of the world. Yet, they came—foreigners, perhaps even quasi-pagans—and brought gifts to offer in worship to the Lord. In a special Christmas text to his popular song, “Offering,” songwriter and worship leader Paul Baloche reminds us of the meaning of our worship:

Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star
While angels sang to lowly shepherds.
Three Wisemen seeking truth, they traveled from afar
Hoping to find the child from heaven.
Falling on their knees, they bow before the humble Prince of Peace.

We bring an offering of worship to our King;
No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing.
Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due.
O Lord, I bring an offering to you.

The sun cannot compare to the glory of your love.
There is no shadow in your presence.
No mortal man would dare to stand before your throne,
Before the Holy One of heaven.
It's only by Your blood, It's only through Your mercy, Lord, I come.