First, we will Worship Fully. Nearly every character in the Christmas story that encountered our King responded in the same way: worship. Let’s make the conscious effort to reorient our hearts toward Christ. Christmas began with worship, may it end with worship. Join us for Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully.
PJ Point: Black Eye Day….head busters instead of door-busters…Hendersonville made national news…This year, Americans spent $7.4 billion online on Black Friday and $4.2 billion online on Thanksgiving Day.
PJ Pondering: For some years I’ve wondered what benefits there are for starting the holiday season earlier. Does a longer season help us keep Christ at the center of it? Do we experience a more soulful celebration of Jesus’ birth by starting all the activities sooner? Or does the length and intensity of the season wear us out, cause unnecessary stress and burn out so that many people find the biggest joy of Christmas is just to wake up and see it be December 26?
PJ Point: Here’s what you do in the Advent Conspiracy: you keep the story of Jesus’ birth first and substitute consumption with compassion by practicing four simple, but powerful, counter-cultural concepts – worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all.
PJ Point: Charlie Brown is shopping for a tree and finding himself dismayed at all the fake trees. Finally, he spots the only real tree on the lot and he buys it. When his friends see him with this tree –
Charlie is ridiculed and called names. In a moment of exasperation, he asks a question we would do well to ask ourselves every day in the next five weeks: “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
As Linus shares the reason from Luke 2 for why any of us make anything of the season, he puts, at center stage, the profound hope of Christmas – the good news of GOD come to live with us.
PJ Pondering: What would happen if instead of being caught up in all the shopping, parties, and preparations of the season, we put at the center stage of our Christmas preparations, the good news of God come to live with us?
PJ Point: So, we’re going to look at six key players to see how the profound Good News from God took center stage in their life. Then after each one, I’ll pose a question for you to consider for your own life. I’m hoping you’ll choose at least two attributes from these people to model in your Christmas preparations.
PJ Point: First Mary Offered. (Luke 1:38). When the angel Gabriel appeared to her to tell her that she would become pregnant and give birth to Jesus, she was troubled and afraid. But Mary responded with words of offering. Mary shows us that worship leads us to let go of our own agendas and offer ourselves to be agents for God’s purposes in human life. This Christmas, what agenda do you need to let go of to offer yourself in service to God?
38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:38
PJ Point: Second John Jumped. (Luke 1:44). When Mary arrived and greeted her pregnant cousin, Elizabeth got a kick.There’s something about being in the presence of Jesus that should cause us to jump for joy, isn’t there? John shows us that worship can lead to joyfulness. What’s holding you back from jumping with joy just to be in the presence of Jesus?
44 As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.
Luke 1:44
PJ Point: Third Joseph Obeyed. (Matthew 1:21-24). Joseph reminds us that the call of God isn’t necessarily easy or conventional or rational, but it is always right – and God will give us the courage to follow if we’re willing to obey. Joseph reminds us that worship leads to obedience. How might all the activities, spending and choices you make this holiday season better obey God’s purposes for your life?
21 She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled: 23 Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, And they will call him, Emmanuel. (Emmanuel means “God with us.”) 24 When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife.
Matthew 1:21-24
PJ Point: Fourth Angels Adored. Luke 2:13-14. The angels explode with praise as they contemplate how peace will now be given to people who were fearful about trusting to the goodness of God amidst the troubles of this life. Worship brings peace through confidence in God’s faithfulness. How might worship bring peace to the areas of your life that are in disarray?
13 Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, 14 “Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
Luke 2:13-14
PJ Point: Fifth Shepherds Moved with Haste. Luke 2:15-17. Choosing them to be the first to hear the good news of Jesus’ birth, we read in Luke 2:15 that they are very eager to see him. These guys on the fringe of society, who were used to slowly walking with their sheep respond eagerly..”Worship changed these guys into eager believers and tellers of the Good news! What will the haste in your Christmas preparations tell and show others?
15 When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.” 16 They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child.
Luke 2:15-17
PJ Point: Sixth. Wise Men Bowed Mt 2:11. When they finally find Jesus, we know that they gave expensive gifts to Him. But what did they do first?In our Christmas preparations, God is more interested in our bowing than the bows we put on our gifts. Coming into the presence of God and bowing to the holiness born for us is to worship fully. How will you bow to God this holiday season – and not to the commercialization of Christmas?
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11
PJ Final Point: So – step one in the Advent Conspiracy: worship fully. Choose today to take on two of the worshipful attributes seen in the key players of Christmas: Mary who offered, John who jumped, Joseph who obeyed, the angels who adored, the shepherds who hurried to tell, or the wise men who bowed.
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