“Remember, I am with you always” – Matthew 28:20

Today, is a good day! It’s not a holiday, or a family celebration, and I have idea what it will bring. So far, the morning included a shower, breakfast, and some coffee, but I know it is a good day. You may wonder how I know and the answer is simple, Jesus is with me.

It is all too easy to let the external circumstances of our lives dictate our feelings and beliefs. We are often encouraged to believe that the quality of a day is based upon what is, or will be, happening. However, that is not the true test. There is something (someone) greater at work in the moments of our lives that matters far more than our schedules, our successes, or our obstacles.

On one of our international mission trips, I sat with a woman from the local area. It was clear that poverty was pervasive there, and there were numerous needs for everyone in the community. It was also obvious that the people were filled with great love and joy. I confess I was a little dumbfounded by the juxtaposition of those two realities, and apparently, it showed. My new friend looked at me and said, “You don’t get it do you?” I confessed that she was right. With that her smile grew and she replied, “We have everything, because we have Jesus!”

Life is full of challenges, numerous things that work to steal our joy, yet those things are not the final word. That privilege belongs to the one who says, “Behold, I make all things new.” Our creative God, who speaks things into existence, calls forth each day, and calls the creation “good,” promised, though Jesus, to be with us always.

So, as this day begins, it is not how we feel, or what awaits us that determines if this will be a good or bad day. Rather, it is the One who breathed into us the breath of life and is with us always that declares the goodness of today.

Today, is a good day, because, through Jesus Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, God is with us. With that knowledge, we can all go forth and see the day for what it truly is.

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The shepherds responded to the angel’s message by immediately going to Bethlehem to see the Promise of God in person. They arrived and told everyone what had happened to them, and what was told to them about the precious child of Mary. When they left, they returned giving glory and praise to God. Three very significant things stand out in the actions of these shepherds:

They responded right away to the word of God. The angel revealed God’s plan and invited them to go and see for themselves the great thing God was doing. That invitation was a call for them to be a part of the story, a part that would be shared for generations to come. These simple, unnamed people who were doing their job, responded in faith and they did so right away.

Often, God extends a call to people, inviting them to join in the great story of the transformation of the world, only to have them say, “I’ll have to look into that sometime,” or, “Isn’t that nice, somebody should get involved with that.” We are tempted to postpone our response to the call, or ignore it all together.

The shepherds, did not wait. They left their work, their peace, and their comfort, and went to follow the call of God. God said, “Go and see,” and they did. Faith in God says, “Yes!” Then, it demonstrates that yes by putting faith into action.

They told everyone what they experienced, saw, and heard. As someone once told me, our relationship with God is very personal, but it is never private. The message of the Lord is not just for us, but it is meant to be shared with others. Too often we are afraid of what others will think of us. Will we be seen as crazy? What if people question our experience? We can already hear people saying, “Aren’t you taking this God thing too far?” or, “You heard from God? Really?” So we keep the message to ourselves and try to fit in with those around us.

The shepherds could not keep it in. They saw angels! They received the message! How could they deny their experience? How could they not make known the great thing God was doing? The same questions apply to each of us who experiences the revelation of God in our lives. How can we stay silent when God is speaking? What difference does it make what others think of us when God trusts us with his word? Instead, we should embrace the words of old hymn of the church, “I love to tell the story!”

They continued to give glory and praise to God. They did not walk away from their encounter with Jesus, keeping it to themselves, and returning to business as usual. No, they were changed by that experience, and it produced a heart set on praising God and giving him glory. This moment in time, that most of the world missed, became a life-changing reality for them. They could not go back to who they were before, and the cry of their heart became a declaration of praise to God.

We were made for praise. Once we encounter Jesus, our hearts cry out as well. Our lives are different simply because of our experience with the Savior. The only authentic response to the work of Christ in our lives is to glorify God and offer our praise. Like any type of witness, we can only tell the truth of what we have seen and heard and, when it comes to God, that witness always involves a voice of praise.

As we continue to live in the true joy of Christmas, may we take direction from these faithful shepherds who, having had an encounter with God, were never the same, and could not keep from telling anyone who would listen!

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I find it striking that this teenage girl, when confronted with an amazing reality, and with many potentially negative implications in her life, chose to respond with praise. It would be one thing if she said, “If that is what God wants, I will do it, but I’m honestly a little intimidated.” Instead, she accepts the calling with joy and begins to declare the praise of God.

Praise is a powerful tool, but at its root, it is the spirit’s reaction to the greatness, and the faithfulness, of God. More than just some songs we sing, or words we say, praise is the response that bursts forth from within as we encounter the Spirit of God. You may remember Jesus saying, as he entered Jerusalem to the praise of the crowds, that if they did not praise the very rocks would cry out. An encounter with God produces a spirit of praise.

There are currently, many postings on social media and Christian media, along with numerous Christian cards and items that proudly declare, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” I respect the sentiment. As a Christian, I believe this season is dedicated to the praise of the Savior. The bigger picture, however, is that, as a Christian, Jesus is the reason for my praise every day and in every season. The One who captivates my heart and calls me to know him more is worthy of my praise in every moment of my life, as he is for all who bear his name.

When John was expressing his vision of the throne room of heaven early in Revelation, he makes it profoundly clear that everything gives praise to the Lamb of God, Jesus. The whole worship of heaven is offered in praise of him. If all of heaven continuously stops to give praise and glory to the Savior, then our lives should be marked by that response of praise as well. It is the cry of our heart to offer praise and worship to God, through the Son, Jesus Christ.

In our second worship service this morning, the children will take over the message with their Christmas play. They practiced for many weeks to come and share this powerful story. Through the voices of these children of God, we will once again be reminded of Mary’s praise, and the praise of the angels. We will watch as shepherds and kings come to worship and adore the newborn King. We will be reminded of God’s gracious gift in the infant Christ, and we will be a part of the body of Jesus’ disciples who join in the offering of praise.

Today, as we move closer to Christmas Day, let us set our affections on him of whom the angels sing? Like Mary, let’s respond to God’s call in Jesus with a song of praise that declares the promise of hope, joy, and peace. May our spirits burst with praise for the Holy One, for he alone is worthy.

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