ODB: Now is the Time
December 25, 2011
Heaven’s choir came down to sing when heaven’s King came down to save.
READ: Luke 2:8-20
Glory to God in the highest! —Luke 2:14
During our church’s Christmas celebration, I watched the choir members assemble in front of the congregation while the music director rifled through papers on a slim black stand. The instruments began, and the singers launched into a well-known song that started with these words: “Come, now is the time to worship.”
Although I expected to hear a time-honored Christmas carol, I smiled at the appropriate choice of music. Earlier that week I had been reading Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, and I noticed that the first Christmas lacked our modern-day parties, gifts, and feasting—but it did include worship.
After the angel announced Jesus’ birth to some wide-eyed shepherds, a chorus of angels began “praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest!’” (Luke 2:13-14). The shepherds responded by running to Bethlehem where they found the newborn King lying in a barnyard bassinet. They returned to their fields “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen” (v.20). Coming face to face with the Son inspired the shepherds to worship the Father.
Today, consider your response to Jesus’ arrival on earth. Is there room for worship in your heart on this day that celebrates His birth?
— Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Source: Our Daily Bread
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What a privilege to know Christ! Who do you think should come to hear about the Good News that the Messiah or Christ promised long ago that finally came into fulfillment? Governor, Kings, Leaders, the rich and influential?
Well, it was the shepherds who watch over the sheep in the open field at night and the Magi or wise men from the East. The former was not a prominent group in the society at their time. The latter was not even Jewish people. This reminded my of my humble status.
Indeed, it is my privilege to know Him as my Savior and my honor to serve Him as my Lord!