Pausing to Worship

December 13, 2017·support

Christmas – the most wonderful time of the year. I love everything about Christmas!

The celebrations and gatherings with family and friends, traditions like Christmas puzzles and snow globes, the magical way the Christmas lights make my house look so much like a Grandma’s house, the sweet memories that flood me when I pull out the decorations, sour cream cookies, Christmas trifle and the breathtaking beauty of glowing candles on Christmas Eve.

But sometimes…like right here, right now in the middle of December…in the crazy mix of loving every minute of the season and, at the same time, feeling stretched and stressed to make my lists and check them twice – I need more than “a little Christmas, right this very minute!”

As I read today’s scripture selection, I realized that what I NEED is a pause for worship.

Revelation 4:8 – “…Day and night they never stop saying, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’”

Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things and by Your will they were created and have their being.”

These words from Revelation remind me – in the middle of December, in the middle of my muddle – the importance of regularly pausing to proclaim words of honor, love and adoration to the One who came for me. Taking time to reflect and praise the One who came long ago on that night in Bethlehem allows Him to come to me again in the busyness of the season. I discover, after spending some time in worship, that joy crowds out those feelings of being overwhelmed or anxious. A pause of worship recalibrates my perspective, realigns my priorities, and often refines that seemingly endless list of things to check off.

Pausing to adore the One Who Has Come is truly my favorite part of Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Brenda Hicks