^“Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).”—Hebrews 13:8 AMP

Today we celebrate the birth of Christ, the saving gift of God for all mankind. Though once a baby, Jesus is forever God. The limits of my mind cannot completely take in the power, the size, the depth, and the sacrificial love of Christ, yet every discovery calls for a response.

Worship Tip: Love What God Loves and Do What God Does

Worship is not one-dimensional in the vertical relationship between God and man.

Worship begins in response to God and then extends outward as I learn to love what God loves, honor what God has esteemed, to grieve over what grieves God, and obey what God has said.

Worship reflects the glory of Christ, as I honor Him in the way I treat others. Because of who God is and what he has done, my God-honoring response reflects God’s nature as I love others, attend to those who are forgotten, show generous hospitality, keep marriage sacred, find contentment in His gifts, trust Him with my needs, remember His presence,  honor my leaders, and hold fast to truth.

To whittle the details down to the bare-bone principle, sincere worship is to show my awe-filled appreciation for the grace I have received by extending grace to others. This is transformational grace—becoming more like Christ–Imago Dei. To worship is to be changed, transformed, renewed, purified as I encounter Christ.

Today’s Worship Challenge: Give God the Gift of Yourself

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Hebrews 12:1-2

To truly experience God in spirit and truth,

I cannot,

I will not,

I dare not remain the same.

A very Merry Christmas to you and your family!